Synth City: 10 Classic Guitar Synth Songs
Here are 10 classic tracks that demonstrate the many voices of guitar synths.
Related Content
01. "Ashes to Ashes," David Bowie, Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps), 1980
It's Hammer time. Guitarist Chuck Hammer is an accomplished player and Emmy-nominated digital film composer who has recorded with Lou Reed, David Bowie and Guitarchitecture, to name just a few.
But Hammer might be best known for his textural guitar synth work on "Ashes to Ashes" from Bowie's Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) album. Hammer used a Roland GR-500 with an Eventide Harmonizer to get the synthetic string sound that can be heard in the video below. He actually used four multi-tracked guitar synths, each one playing opposing chord inversions. Be sure to check out the rest of album, which features a healthy dose of Hammer.
Rolling Stone put Hammer in the category of "musical pioneers" along with guys like Robert Fripp and Allan Holdsworth.
Related
You Might Also Like...
daveotr
May 31, 2012 at 2:51pm
To me, the best part of "Racing in A" isn't the synth stuff, it's Steve Hackett's incredible nylon-string work at the end (starting at about 3:52)
Latest News
-
1 day 1 hour ago
-
1 day 1 hour ago
-
1 day 11 hours ago
-
1 day 12 hours ago
-
1 day 12 hours ago
-
1 day 13 hours ago
-
1 day 13 hours ago
Connect with Guitar World
Featured Content
In the Magazine
Most Commented Articles
Guitar World On Twitter
Live Updates
-
Happy Birthday @bobdylan! The legendary songwriter turns 72 today. t.co/zHRRzftQ0m #TangledUpInBlue #Live #Video
-
Morning! Did you know everything in our online store is 30% off? t.co/W8F4c3cIIa #MemorialDay #Sale
-
Memorial for @Slayer's #JeffHanneman starting soon @thepalladium t.co/nA0CrFKLUI We show our respect w/ this special tribute issue.
-
Video: Jon Donais of @ShadowsFallBand / @Anthrax Demos Rivera Metal Shaman and Double Shaman Pedals t.co/NjkgP3pZPH
-
Video Review: @PaulRiario VS @BUGERA_AMPS TriRec Infinium Guitar Amplifier t.co/H7HkDtNq7c #Tone #Battle
-
RT @rod_ron: Just got the new @GuitarWorld looks like It's going to ne a good one as usual. #BlackSabbath t.co/p9fJr0464h
