Slash: Derrig vs Max - The AFD Period

[ReverendJWblues]

Originally Posted by RFR

I dunno guys, the story I heard was that Max built the amp, Chris re tubed it, and el toro played it so the tubes properly burned themselves in.

Me, I was just in the background thinking about it

Brother you forgot to mention that I re wired it, damn Im aways left out on the credits.

[lp59aholicDon]

Originally Posted by ReverendJWblues

Brother you forgot to mention that I re wired it, damn Im aways left out on the credits.

Rev, aint that just the luck In this case being short shafted might be better than being long shafted !

[JD21]

Wow.......alot of back and forth bickering here.
I only wish my uncle were here to help set the record straight, bask in the fame and make a few more guitars!
Curious: how many of Kris' guitars are out there that you folks know about and who the owners are? We know Charlie Daniels has/had one, Atlanta Rhythm Section may have one and Slash has two. Kris only made 12 or so that the family is aware of and over half of them are MIA. Unfortunately- we have none of them except in pictures. If anyone knows the location of anymore of the guitars, drop me an e-mail: rcre8@yahoo.com

Thanks for everyone's help

-Jason Derrig (Kris' nephew)

[eshuffle]

Jason, Thanks for your post. Would love to see some pictures if you could post them. I appreciate the work Kris has done.


Ken
myspace.com/meyerguitars

[JD21]

A few of the pics are on this thread earlier on and the rest are in storage at my grandmother's house. I will see what I can find next time I'm up there. There aren't many and most of them are like the Sheldon? pic leaning against a tree. -JD

[FLICKOFLASH]

[Hawkeye]

This is just to be funny, but is this not the Derrig??

[JD21]

Hawkeye:

Have your "eyes" checked !!!
Actually- it's neither. Check the pick-ups on it- neither the Max or Kris' guitar has those pick-ups.



-JD

[FLICKOFLASH]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

This is just to be funny, but is this not the Derrig??

it is the derring same 60's knobs as well

[JD21]

Believe me- I'd LOVE for it to be the Derrig but it isn't. Kris' Alnico II pick-ups have the white oval on top, the Guitar Hero has white all the way around the perimeter with black rectangle under. Subtle but different. I'm guessing if it's based on any of Slash's guitars at all, it's one of his many other LPs. -JD

[FLICKOFLASH]

Originally Posted by JD21

Believe me- I'd LOVE for it to be the Derrig but it isn't. Kris' Alnico II pick-ups have the white oval on top, the Guitar Hero has white all the way around the perimeter with black rectangle under. Subtle but different. I'm guessing if it's based on any of Slash's guitars at all, it's one of his many other LPs. -JD

This is the Derring & it has even the reversed & nonreversed zebra pickups & the incorrect 60's reflector knobs as does the Guitar hero animation

[marshallcrazy]

Flick here's a question; do you know if a Max or Derrig have ever been used in a LP "shootout" against a real 59 burst, and how they fared? Thanks.

[FLICKOFLASH]

Originally Posted by marshallcrazy

Flick here's a question; do you know if a Max or Derrig have ever been used in a LP "shootout" against a real 59 burst, and how they fared? Thanks.

Max used old growth wood & period correct as well as donor fingerboards with correct inlays, Hide clue & correct real vintage parts including PAF's as being compared to a real 59 it would only be lacking the stress factors wood occurs ( neck pitches in real burst changes over time) there fore it would compare to a real 59 as it was new but with old PAF's ( which time also has its effects)

Comparing the derring & Max with a real 59 as the goal equation, The Max would win out hands down but that is not saying the derring is / is not the better guitar

[marshallcrazy]

Originally Posted by FLICKOFLASH

Max used old growth wood & period correct as well as donor fingerboards with correct inlays, Hide clue & correct real vintage parts including PAF's as being compared to a real 59 it would only be lacking the stress factors wood occurs ( neck pitches in real burst changes over time) there fore it would compare to a real 59 as it was new but with old PAF's ( which time also has its effects)

Comparing the derring & Max with a real 59 as the goal equation, The Max would win out hands down but that is not saying the derring is / is not the better guitar

Flick, that's what I thought. I'm guessing it would hold it's own no problem, and essentially would sound like a new 59 albeit with "weaker" PUPs.

[FLICKOFLASH]

Originally Posted by marshallcrazy

Flick, that's what I thought. I'm guessing it would hold it's own no problem, and essentially would sound like a new 59 albeit with "weaker" PUPs.

not so weaker pickups The coils shrink & warp from the coil tension as well as the magnets & wire age which causes the Holy ghostly over tones only found in old PAF's

[JD21]

Flick:

You are right.....sort of! If we were playing that kids game "Find The Differences" in the two pictures- the pick-ups are different because of the white oval inlaid in the black on Kris' that isn't quite the same on the GHIII cover. BUTTT.......after some digging, I found a video on UTube with an interview with Slash on making GHIII and he's playing the Derrig in the interview on set. I would have to guess they used the Derrig as the model for that cover but because it was easier for the graphics, made the minor change to the pickups?
Thankfully he didn't use Kris' guitar as the model for the animation because he smashes the crap out of that one at the end of the shoot! -JD

PS- Flick, since you seem to be the resident expert on the Derrig guitars- does Slash have TWO Derrig's, one Derrig & one Max or two Derrig's AND one Max?? We're still trying to account for all his guitars and still don't know where over half of them are. (I was 16 when Kris died and had no appreciation for his craft yet- no one in the family had any clue what was to come out of his "hobby" to pay for his LeMans / GTO habit!)

[FLICKOFLASH]

Originally Posted by JD21

Flick:

You are right.....sort of! If we were playing that kids game "Find The Differences" in the two pictures- the pick-ups are different because of the white oval inlaid in the black on Kris' that isn't quite the same on the GHIII cover. BUTTT.......after some digging, I found a video on UTube with an interview with Slash on making GHIII and he's playing the Derrig in the interview on set. I would have to guess they used the Derrig as the model for that cover but because it was easier for the graphics, made the minor change to the pickups?
Thankfully he didn't use Kris' guitar as the model for the animation because he smashes the crap out of that one at the end of the shoot! -JD

PS- Flick, since you seem to be the resident expert on the Derrig guitars- does Slash have TWO Derrig's, one Derrig & one Max or two Derrig's AND one Max?? We're still trying to account for all his guitars and still don't know where over half of them are. (I was 16 when Kris died and had no appreciation for his craft yet- no one in the family had any clue what was to come out of his "hobby" to pay for his LeMans / GTO habit!)

YouTube - Guitar Hero III - Making of with Slash

I am not expert on the derrigs sorry

[marshallcrazy]

Originally Posted by JD21

Flick:

You are right.....sort of! If we were playing that kids game "Find The Differences" in the two pictures- the pick-ups are different because of the white oval inlaid in the black on Kris' that isn't quite the same on the GHIII cover. BUTTT.......after some digging, I found a video on UTube with an interview with Slash on making GHIII and he's playing the Derrig in the interview on set. I would have to guess they used the Derrig as the model for that cover but because it was easier for the graphics, made the minor change to the pickups?
Thankfully he didn't use Kris' guitar as the model for the animation because he smashes the crap out of that one at the end of the shoot! -JD

PS- Flick, since you seem to be the resident expert on the Derrig guitars- does Slash have TWO Derrig's, one Derrig & one Max or two Derrig's AND one Max?? We're still trying to account for all his guitars and still don't know where over half of them are. (I was 16 when Kris died and had no appreciation for his craft yet- no one in the family had any clue what was to come out of his "hobby" to pay for his LeMans / GTO habit!)

JD, okay let's see here. I know that Slash has one Derrig and one Max for sure, and possibly two of one or the other. Your uncle's autobiographer and Max would know for sure. I know there is one in France and one in Italy, and I think you know someone who owns 2 or 3.

Secondly, with regard to your family's lack of understanding of the significance of his "hobby", not to fear. NO ONE at the time, with the exception of Max, Kris, Roman, Foote, Rev. and a handful of others really knew how "good" this stuff was. Remember, most of us and even the famous guys at the time were into pointy headed stuff and rack mount amps for the most part at that time. I guarantee you there are 10 guys on this board that had real 58/59/60 bursts and dumped them for newer LPs in the 70's or pointy headed stuff in the 80's........me included. Hell, Slash was playing pointed headed stuff until the aforementioned early on in this thread lent him/bought him his Max and Derrig. Hell, guys like Joe Perry were playing pointed headed stuff at the time, and you could've picked up a real 59 burst for probably 25k back in the mid-80s(?) 50k TOPS!!! And, all day long.

Slash really brought back the essence and greatness of the LP Burst to the masses..........and by virtue of your uncle, Max, and the others in that group's work! How cool is that!!! Lastly, I got to thinking too, others at that time that were still LP lovers.....the guys in Tesla, and Tom Keifer in Cinderella, main guy in Y&T......all of them were still carrying the LP torch!!

[FLICKOFLASH]

I remember in 84 a 58 3 pickup custom was 1850.00 but then a new custom was about 600.00

[Hawkeye]

hey, I was just trying to be funny and break it up a bit. I don't think a video game cover would put as much a second thought into the historical accuracy of the guitar on it. (I was, however, taken aback that they even put an amber switch tip on it!!)

[JD21]

Hawkeye:

I was trying to stay on the "lighter" side too but I've had too many people try to tell me that guitar was Kris' just because it was Slash holding it. However- after seeing the UTube video of Slash playing what is clearly Kris' guitar at the GHIII session, I have to admit that Flick is right. They changed one minor detail but other than that, it IS the guitar. All the same- it's all good.

Marshall Crazy: who are you?? Anyone from the Guitar Works scene or someone I should know?? I never met or even spoke with Kris' biographer- he got most of his info from my father, grandmother, Jim & guys in CA, guys in Atlanta and a few other leads. I probably would have told the guy to screw off- trying to cash in on Kris' "fame". I guess he meant well but whatever happened to the KrisDerrig.com site. That was Sheldon's site, wasn't it??

It's all too crazy and unfortunately too late- Kris was the coolest and most unselfish guy you could ever hope to meet but he died unknown and broke, like many of the great artists. Thanks to Slash and all you guys who care and keep the name alive- our family appreciates it. -JD

[Big_dawg]

hey this thread's gone global - its been mentioned in the new UK edition of Guitarist magazine with regards to slash's tone...., web address and everything...

[marshallcrazy]

JD, I am no one important, trust me on that! I don't know about "Guitar Works", sorry. I am, however, a HUGE fan of your uncle's work, Max's work, and the guys who were part of that group. Master luthiers, true craftsman which I have a huge appreciation for and have just tried to learn as much about them as I could. And, I speak with Max from time to time.

As far as your uncle's site and autobiographer, I assumed incorrectly that you know him and speak with him. I'm sure he has a wealth of information put together from a number of sources and could answer a lot of your questions.

Thanks, JD, for coming on here and sharing with us!! That's very cool!

[FLICKOFLASH]

YouTube - Slash guitars

[1958BURST]

Hey JD, no one has cashed in on Kris's fame and matter of fact that is exactly the reason why the krisderrig.com site is down.

Originally Posted by JD21

I probably would have told the guy to screw off- trying to cash in on Kris' "fame". -JD

[JD21]

Scott:

Sorry about the way that sounded. I have no beef with what you have done and would love to see the final product of all your efforts. Had you contacted me back when you were talking to my father (Dale) & grandmother (Barbara) I probably would have told you to screw off. We were all a little suspicious of why someone would be so interested in Kris' story almost 20 years after the fact and I cringed a little bit when dad told me that he had told you the whole "GTO" story. (I didn't know at the time that the new owner of that car already knew the truth by then.) Like his guitars. Kris never intended his project to be passed off as the real deal- it never would have left his possession had he lived to finish and enjoy it.

None of us realized the craziness surrounding the Kris vs Max thing and I think I'm the first one in the family to read the entire thread on this forum. Wow....alot of ugliness for no reason. I think I can speak on behalf of the family in saying we have no ill feelings towards Max or anyone else caught up in the whole mess and even Kris himself would likely laugh it all off.

Anyway.....sorry for the misunderstanding and THANK YOU for helping bring the whole story to light. Now Kris can get the respect and recognition for his craft that he didn't get to experience while he was with us.

Respect,

Jason Derrig

[marshallcrazy]

JD, I spoke with my buddy up in the Northeast who had 2 at one time, and was the guy I thought you knew. Alas, he doesn't know you or your family and unfortunately no longer has either guitar. And, one of them was a conversion not a replica, done by Dave Johnson my bad.

He did say he thought that most of them were in the hands of big time private collectors here and in Japan, and probably had been for some time. Didn't know anyone that currently owned one. Sorry, bro!

[Darkburst]

Thanks for sharing info here Jason! That guitar that 'Slash' is holding on the GHIII cover looks as close you're gonna get to his Derrig with that style of computer graphics.

[1958BURST]

No worries,
I approached the project/book to set the record straight on who he was and his contributions to the guitar community.
Only after did it create so much chaos (and to my friend Max too) due to the AFD GnR stuff did I pull the site. I may repost the site sometime after I finish up on my research.

I planned on reaching out again to some of Kris's friends as they have called me over the last year to add to the story.
Glad to hear your ok with it, this was not a get rich scheme. I never planned it would take the better part of 2 years to do the research either.
Scott Sheldon
Max Guitars USA

Originally Posted by JD21

Scott:

Sorry about the way that sounded. I have no beef with what you have done and would love to see the final product of all your efforts. Had you contacted me back when you were talking to my father (Dale) & grandmother (Barbara) I probably would have told you to screw off. We were all a little suspicious of why someone would be so interested in Kris' story almost 20 years after the fact and I cringed a little bit when dad told me that he had told you the whole "GTO" story. (I didn't know at the time that the new owner of that car already knew the truth by then.) Like his guitars. Kris never intended his project to be passed off as the real deal- it never would have left his possession had he lived to finish and enjoy it.

None of us realized the craziness surrounding the Kris vs Max thing and I think I'm the first one in the family to read the entire thread on this forum. Wow....alot of ugliness for no reason. I think I can speak on behalf of the family in saying we have no ill feelings towards Max or anyone else caught up in the whole mess and even Kris himself would likely laugh it all off.

Anyway.....sorry for the misunderstanding and THANK YOU for helping bring the whole story to light. Now Kris can get the respect and recognition for his craft that he didn't get to experience while he was with us.

Respect,

Jason Derrig

[ReverendJWblues]

No disrespect is intended to absolutley anyone here.
Sorry guys but that is what this has become craziness.
Neither Max or Chris (created these guitars) they copied them. Little did they know when they were making these guitars that some cat who calls himself Slash would come along and cause all this crap for absolutley nuthing. Had Chris or Max gone on to mass producing these things what would they be worth? Hell fella's no matter what, they are simply copies of someone at Gibson's creations. Max and Chris may be/and were great craftsmen no doubt, but they are simply (and I dont care what you guys wanna call them) copies of someone elses design. They got lucky plain and simple. I'm sure you would love to have a guitar that Chris made JD, he was your uncle and I'm sure you were proud of him, even tho at the time you didnt really think about it. To me the credit of these guitars should always be with the original designer (desiginers) without them you dont have this frickin argument. Some of you guys need to get over yourselves, The originals are where its at and always will be. I dont give a shit if a guy takes 50 yr old 100 yr old whatever its still a copy. You take a Rembrandt, DaVinci or whoever and paint an exact replica its still a copy I dont care how good it is. Damn I hope Page never comes out and say's I played a Max on that album no wait maybe it was a Derrig. I got my flame suit on Im ready, but honestly sometmes you people amaze me with your thinking. You guys are supposed to be Gibson Les Paul freaks but sometimes I wonder, Hell whats gonna happen the next time some smuck plays a copy of a Les Paul and sells 10 million albums and says it was just the tone of my................................ I cant remember the name of it. But it was made by this guy in ah.........ah............ah hell I cant remember that either.