It’s probably not a coincidence that effects such as wah pedals and fuzz boxes started appearing en masse about the same time that recreational drugs like marijuana and LSD became popular with rock musicians.

Fender’s Select Series guitars are designed for players who want instruments with more upscale materials and features than Fender’s standard instruments but still retain that distinctive Fender vibe. Select Series appointments include figured tonewood bodies and necks, specially voiced pickups, resonant lacquer finishes, and lighter body weight to enhance dynamics and response.

The following content is related to the May 2013 issue of Guitar World. For the full range of interviews, features, tabs and more, pick up the new issue on newsstands now, or in our online store.

Of all the great original 1959 Standards out there — a pretty small number to begin with — Joe Perry’s Les Paul has long been acclaimed as one of the finest. The rich, road-worn character of this guitar, serial number 9-0663, is utterly moving, and it seems to throb with the wealth of music and experience earned over decades of being played on stages and in recording studios around the world.