JIMI HENDRIX

This month Phil Short examines the bluesy side of a game-changing guitarist who many still rank as the greatest and most important of all time.

- Phil Short

Jimi Hendrix is one of the most significant musicians of all time. His impact was such that he has remained an icon to the present day. Although influenced by many of the usual suspects, Jimi didn't just build on the work of his heroes, he pushed guitar music forwards.

In the 1960s the new Marshall amplifiers afforded players ear-splitting volume, and more distortion and overdrive than had been previously achievable (or desirable!). Not only that, in 1960 the first fuzz pedal went on the market, and by 1962 the iconic Fuzz Face came into production. Combined with the aggressive overdriven tones of the Marshall, the Fuzz Face not only provided more distortion, but also tamed the amp's aggressive highs, giving single-coil pickups a rounder, smoother tone.