Schecter/Giffin ‘Telecaster’
Pete Townshend’s Schecter and Giffin Guitars
Telecaster-style guitars custom-built by Schecter Guitar Research and Roger Giffin, used from September 1979 through 1982 (as well as Live Aid, 1985).
Basic specs (see sidebar for specific model differences):
- Dual coil-tapped humbuckers (some Kent Armstrong, some Schecter) with visible pole pieces on pickup covers.
- Gibson-type pickup selector toggle switch.
- Chrome Schecter tuners and (later) chrome or black Sperzel locking tuners; one standard string tree.
- Alder Tele-style body (some cream double-bound; some cream single-bound; some unbound).
- 25½″ scale bolt-on rock maple Schecter neck; “Telecaster”-style headstock.
- 22 extra-jumbo frets.
- One volume, one tone control, with push-pull coil-tap control.
- Alan Rogan’s straplock system.
Pete began using the Schecter/Giffin Tele-style guitars in September 1979, gradually phasing out the Les Paul Deluxe by the end of 1979. He used the Schecter/Giffin Tele-style guitars on stage until 1982 (plus the Gold model on stage for Live Aid in 1985, and with a 1988 television appearance, using a double-bound black model), switching to Eric Clapton model Fender Stratocasters in 1989.
History
The origination of Pete’s use of the Schecter/Giffin “Telecaster”-style dual humbucker guitars in 1979 remains somewhat a mystery. Two scenarios are as follows:
- The first possible scenario: During the September 1979 series of shows at Madison Square Garden, New York, Alan Rogan, Pete’s guitar tech, picked up a custom-built guitar made from “Schecter Guitar Research” parts at Manny’s and introduced it during those shows.
- The second, and more likely, was that Roger Giffin built a guitar for Pete out of Schecter parts, presented it to Pete, who had Giffin make more based on this design.
Since Schecter Guitar Research was strictly an after-market parts/kit manufacturer at this time, it’s unlikely that they produced a model that would end up at Manny’s. Either way, Pete began using these guitars in September 1979.
Roger Giffin
Roger Giffin, a guitar builder then based in the U.K. (who built guitars for Joe Walsh, Eric Clapton and others), made approximately five or six of these guitars for Pete, with at least three of them black and one two-tone sunburst. The Giffin guitars were assembled and “customized” by Giffin using Schecter parts and possibly Boogie Body bodies.
When Giffin took a position with Gibson Guitars in their custom shop, he was unable to continue making guitars for Pete. So Schecter began making these guitars to basically the same specification on a custom-order basis.
Schecter era
At first, Schecter was a small custom order shop and their guitars were not really available to the general public. They began building guitars for Pete as Giffin was no longer available to do so. The later models, such as the Gold model with no pickguard, were built by Schecter. As Schecter’s guitars became more widely known due to their use by others artists (such as Mark Knopfler and Yngwie Malmsteen), Schecter got into production guitar manufacturing (around 1984). Production was very limited and not widely available but you could find shops that did carry them or could get them.
Schecter’s retail ‘PT’ model
When Schecter made the first Pete-style model available to the public (based on the Gold top model design, with no pickguard and offset controls, though with black bodies and dot neck inlays), it wasn’t called anything — and it wasn’t endorsed by Pete (see Pete’s Signature Series). Later, around 1986/87, Schecter named the guitar “Saturn.” The Saturn name was towards the front of the headstock and on the bottom. At some later point in time, it was renamed the “PT,” which are still available today, though the design is substantially different from the original Pete-style model.
Selected quotes from Pete Townshend and Alan Rogan
All quotes and references are copyright their original owners and are included for reference only.
Guitar World, November 1983, excerpt of interview with Alan Rogan
- G.W.: How have his guitars changed since you started working with him?
A.R.: He’s changed his stage guitars, which was a big changeover. We used to use Gibson Les Pauls. One day I spotted a Schecter Telecaster-type guitar and I took it down to the shows we were doing in ’79 at Madison Square Garden and he used it immediately, then we had backups and spares made of that.
- G.W.: How many does he use on stage now?
A.R.: Six to eight with different tunings and capos on different places. They’re made by a guy named Roger Giffin and Schecter. They’re basically the same guitars. They’re exactly the same. About half are Giffins, the rest are Schecters. There’s no difference in the sound. It’s easier to work with a guy in London [than] it is with a company in L.A., you see.
- G.W.: They’re not customized?
A.R.: No, aside from the fact that they have humbucking pickups as opposed to single-coil pickups. They do have the facility of pull-push knobs but Pete doesn’t use them, and instead of having the three-way Fender-type switch, they have a Gibson-type toggle switch so you can flick it much easier when you’re playing, up and down as opposed to left and right. That’s about as customized as it gets.
International Musician and Recording World March 1981 ‘Review of the The Who Concert and equipment used at the Granby Halls, Leicester on January 25, 1981,’ by Ken Dibble
The legendary Pete Townshend as wild as ever except that on this occasion no gear was smashed up, played seven or eight guitars which although not exactly identical were very similar indeed. These comprised black Telecaster pattern bodies fitted with Schecter double coil pickups and mainly Schecter fittings, but some has the new Sperzal [sic] machine heads. Some of these guitars were made by Schecter and some by Roger Griffin. All were custom built for Townshend. The reason for so many instruments is so that each guitar can be pre-tuned by Pete’s roadie, Alan Rogan, with capos already in position on various frets to avoid the de-tuning hassle.
From the October 1989 Guitar Player
Despite the apparent randomness, Pete Townshend is actually quite selective and specific about his guitars. “In practical terms,” begins Pete, “I look for strength first, and a solid line from tailpiece to headstock — and that all components in that pathway be of high quality and super strength. I’m also very keen on clean, enhanced treble of the Gibson variety, but with no sustain. This more closely approximates the vibration cycle of the acoustic, and suits my rhythm style far better than charged-up, overwound pickups that whine on for hours. However, when I play solos, I like sustain, so a well-matched guitar and amplifier is the key, one in which the treble doesn’t change — up or down — when you change the level of the guitar into the amplifier. All that should change is the amount of sustain, in my opinion. I got a perfect combination for stage work with my Les Paul Deluxes or Schecter teles run into a master-volume Hiwatt.”
Text from Schecter advertisement, ca. 1983
“My favourite guitar is a rare and expensive ’52 Telecaster. For stage use and recording I need a lighter, tougher and less temperamental guitar. These Schecter guitars are superbly made and easy to play and they sound glorious. They are capable of anything; consistant[sic] but adaptable. Pickups can be changed easily to keep up with the advances made and the bridges, machines etc., can be of whatever standard you want. Don’t be fooled by imitations of old guitars, these Schecters are unique!” (Pete Townshend 1982)
Where are they now?
Pete smashed a few of these guitars. But some have survived. Likely whereabouts of some Giffins/Schecters:
Schecter/Giffin body on display at Hard Rock Café in Chicago.
- A single-bound black Schecter (s/n S8474) is owned by Brad Rodgers.
- The blue (turned green) and double-bound sunburst Giffin were sold by Rock Stars Guitars.
- The gold-top Schecter was retained by Pete, then donated to the Hard Rock Café, and is on display in their New York location.
- Another unknown model is reportedly on display at the Hard Rock Café location in San Diego, California. (If you have further information or photos of this, please contact us.
- A smashed Schecter/Giffin double-bound black body is on display at the Hard Rock Café location in Chicago. The plaque incorrectly states that the guitar was smashed at the Chicago Auditorium on 17 August 1971.
-
Unknown model owned by MESA/Boogie
Courtesy Ian at the Boogie Files:
Mike B., head engineer at MESA/Boogie, spent time with Pete and Alan Rogan on the 1982 tour. They used the Boogie 4x12 cabs and some of the Coliseum Series 300 Mark IIB heads. One of PT’s Giffin/Schecter guitars is at Boogie. It was feeding back at the Oakland show and he came to the side of the stage and smashed it as he got another guitar. Alan Rogan looked at it and told Mike it was finished, as the neck was now broken. He gave it to Randy and they fixed it.
Photo Gallery
Double-bound black Giffin
Giffin logo
Ca. 1982, double-bound black Giffin Tele-style model. Inset, closeup of Giffin headstock logo. At right, view of straight rear control-cavity coverplate.
Single-bound black Schecter
Ca. 1980, with single-bound black Schecter model.
Click to view larger version Single-bound black Schecter (serial no. S8474), with Rose Morris brown leather strap still intact and capo “residue” on third and fifth frets. On display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, Ohio, 1998–2007. Courtesy Brad Rodgers, whocollection.com.
Click to view larger version (215 kb) Single-bound black Schecter (serial no. S8474), with Rose Morris brown leather strap still intact, Alan Rogan straplocks and capo “residue” on third and fifth frets. On display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, Ohio, 1998–2007. Courtesy Brad Rodgers, whocollection.com.
Click to view larger version (273 kb) Single-bound black Schecter (serial no. S8474), with Alan Rogan straplocks, Rose Morris brown leather strap, closeup of body. On display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, Ohio, 1998–2007. Courtesy Brad Rodgers, whocollection.com.
Click to view larger version (203 kb) Single-bound black Schecter (serial no. S8474), rear of body. On display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, Ohio, 1998–2007. Courtesy Brad Rodgers, whocollection.com.
Click to view larger versions Schecter ads, ca. 1983, with likely the same guitar as above (though with black round-button string tree), exhibiting capo “residue.”
Double-bound sunburst Giffin
Nov. 30, 1982, with double-bound sunburst Giffin model fitted with solid-logo Giffin decal. Courtesy William E. Allen, techsyscon.com.
Ca. 1982, with double-bound sunburst Giffin model fitted with solid-logo Giffin decal. Courtesy Mark Herman.
Ca. 1982, with double-bound sunburst Giffin model. Courtesy Mark Herman.
Click to view larger versions Double-bound sunburst Giffin model fitted with Schecter-label neck. Courtesy David Brewis, Rock Stars Guitars.
Unbound blue Giffin-built Schecter
Ca. 1982, with unbound blue Giffin-built Schecter-label model.
Ca. 1982, with unbound blue Giffin-built Schecter-label model.
Click to view larger versions Unbound blue Giffin-built Schecter-label model, which turned green after the laminate layer wore off. Courtesy David Brewis, Rock Stars Guitars.
Double-bound black Giffin with white pickguard
Ca. 1980, with double-bound black Giffin model.
Granby Halls, Liecester, 25 Jan. 1981, with double-bound black Giffin model.
Ca. 1980, double-bound black Giffin model.
Single-bound natural-grain Schecter with white pickguard
Natural (brown) grain finish, white pickguard, gold hardware, straight (Tele-style) control configuration, single-bound cream binding.
Ca. 1980, with single-bound natural-grain Schecter.
Ca. 1980, with single-bound natural-grain Schecter.
Mahogany Schecter
December 1979, with unbound all-mahogany-colored Schecter model.
Single-bound gold Schecter
December 1982, with late-era single-bound gold Schecter model. Bird’s-eye maple neck with no fret markers, offset controls and no pickguard. Used 1982–1985. At right, rear view, showing oblong rear control cavity coverplate and natural back and sides.
Ca. 1985, recording with the gold Schecter model. The original 1968 Gibson J-200 clearly visible at left, 1952 Fender Telecaster in middle, and Fender Jazzmaster behind Tele. Amp is likely a blonde 1963 Fender Twin.
Live Aid concert, 1985, with gold Schecter.
Non-stage-used models
Click to view larger version Giffin-built Tele-style model, fitted with Parsons/White B-Bender, as used on Eminence Front and One at a Time. Originally with Giffin headstock logo, later replaced with Schecter logo. Courtesy David Brewis, Rock Stars Guitars.
Click to view larger version The first of the late-era Schecter models built. With heavily quilted sunburst single-bound (possibly) all-mahogany body, Bird’s-eye maple neck with no fret markers, offset controls, gold hardware and no pickguard. Similar to the gold model used on ’82 tour. Unused on stage: “too nice to beat up.” Courtesy David Brewis, Rock Stars Guitars.
Resources and Information
Acknowledgements
Tremendous thanks to the following for assistance with this page:
- David Brewis at Rock Stars Guitars, rockstarsguitars.com
- Brad Rodgers at whocollection.com
- Ron Kiska
Manufacturer’s sites:
- Schecter Guitar Research: schecterguitars.com.
- Roger Giffin Guitars: giffinguitars.com.
- Kent Armstrong Pickups: kentarmstrong.com.