"Tech Talk"

[Jpage53@xxxxxxx]

heres a little interview from the hit parader magazine column, Tech Talk,
with jimmy.

Hit Parader:HOw do you rate yourself as a guitarist?
Jimmy Page: That's a hard thing for me to do.  I prefer to let others talk
about such things.  To me, it's almost embarrasing to even consider such
matters, espicially since many of the things I play tend to seem very easy-at
least to me.  That's why it's hard for me to discuss my guitar technique.  I
like to think I am a fairly inventive player, who is willing to always try
new things.  But there are other players who I must believe can play with
more skill that I can.

HP: Do you ever feel that the legendary Zeppelin "mystique" clouded the fact
that you were-and are- a brilliant instrumentalist?
JP:  I don't think about it in those terms.  I do believe that people over
the years have gotten caught up in the larger than life aspects of Zeppelin,
and that has obscured the quality of the music.  Too many people think of the
image of Zeppelin rather than of the music.  I find that sad.

HP:How many guitars do you own?
JP: I own basically the guitars that I play.  I don't believe in hoarding
them.  And I wouldn't say that I'm a collector.  I have a lot of interesting
instruments, both acoustic and electric, but every one of them has been used
in the studio or on stage at one time or another.  When you've been this
business as long as I have, you tend to gather a number of instruments, and I
tend to hold onto what has crossed my path.

HP:Your double neck Gibson has become a trademark.  Is that your favorite
guitar?
JP:Its a guitar that was created out of necessity.  I couldn't change from a
12 string to a 6 string on stage quickly enough.  So I worked with Gibson in
designing the guitar I needed.  It's distinctive in appearance, and it's been
used on some of our more famous songs, so I understand its appeal.

HP:Did you use the same guitars on all the Zeppelin albums?
JP: Well, let's see.  On the first album I primarily used a 1958 Telecaster,
I started using the Les Paul more on the second album, which was a 1959 model
I belive.  We introduced a more acoustic sound on the third album, and for
that I used a Martin acoustic and a Harmany acoustic; on the next album I
recall using a Fender 12 string for a song like Stairway To Heaven.  From
there on, I didnt really change what I played.  The telecaster, The Strat,
the Les Paul and the 12 string, along with acoustics were the guitars I
primarily stuck with.

HP: Did you change amps often through those years?
JP: I started in the studio with a Fender 100 watt amp, and I still play the
same thing.  I don't believe there is a better amp out there.  Perhaps I'm a
little old fashioned in that regard because I'm sure there are many excellent
new amp and guitar prodcts out there, but I prefer to stay with the classics.

HP: On No Quarter and obviously also during your No quarter performance with
Robert Plant, you're playing your Gibsons, as well as a number of different
acoustic guitars.  Are they still the ones you've had all these years?
JP:  For the most part--yes, I think they all are

HP:We hear theres the possibility of a live Led Zeppelin album being released
in the future.
JP:  Where did you hear that?  I dont believe that's true.  We certainly have
plenty of tapes of live performances, but i dont want to be the one who has
to wade throught them and neither does robert.  We both believed making the
music we are now was far more interesting than going back and listening to 15
or 20 year old tapes.  We've never wanted to live in the past, thats why the
updating of some of Zeppelin' songs have been so exciting for us.  It's
allowed us to take some great music and add to it using the knowledge and
experience we've gained over the years.

HP: How would you term your musical relationship with Robert Plant these
days.  are you always supportive or ocassionaly critical?
JP: I dont know if it can be termed quite as simply as that.  I would like to
think of our working relationship as very special.  Ive never had anyone else
that I can approach with any sort of unusual musical idea--no matter how
strange they might be--and receive immediate reactions.  Robert and I have
always had this understanding that is almost impossible to describe.

HP:Do you expect your releationship to continue in years ahead?
JP: I was always amused by reports that Robert and I weren't talking, or that
there was some anger between us.  That was just typical press inaccuracy-an
attempt to make something when theres really no story there.  Rober and I
have had a wonderful relationship for more that 25 years, and I certainly
hope that it will continue long into the future.  There was a moment when we
got back together when we both just wanted to see how it would go; if we
could write together again, and if we got on as people.  It's one thing to
see each other occasionally, or meet for lunch, and quite another to plan on
recording and touring together.  But we quickly discovered that the old magic
was still very much there, much to our mutual pleasure

Whew!  im really sorry if u think this too long but hopefull page and zep
fans will enjoy this

Jpage
"ive been to london, seen 7 wonders"