years back and they are still made in Fullerton
California, dipped in tasty vintage-style
finishes that make you want to pick them up
and lick them like ice cream bars. Tasty.
IBANEZ TALMAN TC420
Similar to the G&L SC-2, the Ibanez Talman
TC420 is a supremely attractive, playable, and
toneful sleeper guitar, with a cult following
of those in-the-know. The late Bob Casale’s
main axe toward the end of his adventurous
life was a slightly customized, green-bodied
Talman TC420 with a red pickguard and a
beautifully flamed maple neck and fretboard.
HAGSTROM PB-24-G
Known as Devo’s “technician,” Bob 2’s role
in the band was to hold it all together and
perform a variety of foundational (yet highly
skilled) musical tasks, using a variety of guitars
22
TONE TALK //
and synthesizers. Going way back to 1973
(when Devo made their first appearance at
Kent State University) Bob Casale rocked
a Hagstrom PB-24-G Futurama. He would
later on lend this vinyl-covered axe to Mark
Mothersbaugh. who would “modify” it
with Duct Tape and an Electro-Harmonix
Frequency Analyzer when a Tele wasn’t
available.
Bob Casale and his band of Spudbrothers
bonded in the wake of the horrific Kent State
Shootings that ended the lives of several
innocent human beings and the hippy dream
altogether. As literally a band of brothers,
they decided to do something about it and
subsequently changed the way we perceive
music, media, performance and technology.
This feature is dedicated to a true visionary
who fearlessly traversed decades while
simultaneously avoiding and inadvertently
creating trends. His brothers continue to
teach us that the beginning is the end. This is
the truth about Devolution. The message is as
hardcore and relevant as ever.
Guitaro Obsesso: 6 Pieces of Devo’s Rare Guitar Collection