The Guitar Connection: How John McLaughlin Influenced Jeff Beck’s Musical Evolution
During a tour in 1974, a pivotal moment occurred when John McLaughlin’s beloved double-neck guitar suffered a catastrophic break. In a show of camaraderie, jeff Beck lent him a replacement, which ultimately led to a transformative gift that would redefine Beck’s guitar style.
Setting the Stage: A Legendary Collaboration
In 1974, McLaughlin and Beck embarked on a joint tour featuring their respective quartets.At that time, Beck was basking in the acclaim of his groundbreaking album Blow by Blow, while McLaughlin was gaining recognition for his innovative jazz-rock fusion ensemble, the Mahavishnu Orchestra.
McLaughlin was known for his stunning Gibson EDS-1275, a guitar that was not only visually striking but also uniquely customized by luthier Rex Bogue, featuring intricate tree-of-life inlays along both necks.
A Catastrophic Incident
Unfortunately, disaster struck early in the tour when McLaughlin’s prized guitar was damaged. “I was alone with it when it fell over,” he recounted. “It was resting on a table, and a tremor must have caused it to tumble. It hit the ground face-first, and the weight caused the body to split right down the middle!”
In this moment of need, Beck came to the rescue. ”I didn’t have a backup guitar, but Jeff did,” McLaughlin explained. “He was using Gibson Les pauls at the time and generously lent me his Oxblood Les Paul, which later fetched around $1.3 million at auction.”
the Legacy of the Oxblood Les Paul
This modified 1954 Les Paul, which Beck had purchased for a mere $300 in 1972 to replace his damaged 1959 “yardburst,” became a legendary instrument. It was sold at christie’s on January 22, 2025, as part of the Jeff Beck Collection, setting a record for the highest price ever paid for a Les Paul at auction.
“He loaned me that Oxblood Les Paul. I played it for the rest of the tour. And just to say thanks, at the end, I gave him a white ’60s strat.”
- John McLaughlin
McLaughlin continued, “I played it throughout the tour, and as a token of my gratitude, I gifted him a white ’60s Strat.” He added, “he’s been playing them ever as. Isn’t that splendid?”
A New Chapter for Beck
while this was not Beck’s first experience with a Stratocaster-having experimented with the model as 1969-the gift marked a significant turning point in his musical journey.
“The Strat transformed his playing style,” McLaughlin noted. “From that moment on, he abandoned the pick and began using his fingers, producing an incredible tone that was smooth and beautiful.”
Beck quickly incorporated the Strat into his next album, Wired, where it also graced the cover. Although that particular guitar was later stolen, Beck continued to explore various finishes, including a ”Graffiti Yellow” prototype in 1986, before ultimately settling on the iconic Olympic White as his signature look.
“From that point, he dropped the pick and started working with his fingers, and the tone he got was unbelievable. It was like butter. it was beautiful.”
– John McLaughlin
Enduring Influence and Musical Chemistry
For the latter part of his career, Beck predominantly played a Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster in Olympic White, frequently enough paired with a rosewood fingerboard, solidifying this look as his trademark.
Reflecting on their 1974 tour, McLaughlin fondly remembers the musical synergy they shared. “What I loved about Jeff during that tour was that we each performed a 45-minute set, followed by a one-hour jam session with both bands. We did this every night.”
Sadly, McLaughlin’s EDS-1275 was not the only loss during the tour. He lamented, “I don’t have any recordings from those shows. Back then, portable recording devices were not common. But who knows-maybe something will turn up someday.”
Despite the absence of recordings, McLaughlin cherishes the memories. “And so did Jeff. We reminisced about those days whenever we met. He was a wonderful person, and I truly miss him.”
McLaughlin also expressed nostalgia for his own guitars, having attended the auction of Beck’s collection and marveling at how well Beck preserved his instruments over the years. “I really should have kept all the guitars I’ve had, just like Jeff did!”
