“I almost took that guitar from him”: Jake Kiszka nearly …

Jake Kiszka from Mirador and Chris Turpin from Ida Mae recently discussed their search for vintage Gibson SGs for their band. The two musicians have been on the hunt for great-sounding 1961 SGs that can match the quality of Kiszka’s renowned Number One Gibson SG. Turpin admitted to having “stolen” a guitar from Kiszka, which has become an ongoing joke between them. This incident occurred at Vintage ‘n’ Rare Guitars, where Turpin snatched a guitar from underneath Kiszka – a move he jokingly attributed to payback for a Park amp that Kiszka had taken from him previously.

In their pursuit of the perfect guitar, the duo frequented guitar shows in search of guitars that could measure up to Kiszka’s famed instrument. They found that the quality of vintage guitars, especially the ’61 SGs, varied significantly. Even though they acquired some impressive gear for their band, including custom Martin acoustics and a rare Dumble-modded Marshall amp, finding a suitable alternative to Kiszka’s Number One remains a challenge.

Turpin shared his experience with a 1970 Les Paul Custom, which he acquired for Mirador, serving as a complementary piece to Kiszka’s SG. Describing his affection for the guitar, Turpin recounted a moment during pre-production when he instantly knew it was the right fit for their project, despite its worn appearance and connection issues. The Les Paul Custom resonated with him, feeling like the perfect match for the band’s sound.

Reflecting on Kiszka’s Number One SG, Turpin highlighted the unique attributes that make the guitar so special. He noted the guitar’s liveliness, bark, agility, and dynamic range in the pickups, especially when fingerpicking. Despite finding other guitars that shared some similarities with Kiszka’s instrument, Turpin emphasized the nuanced differences that made each guitar stand out in its own way.

The exclusive interview with Kiszka and Turpin appears in the latest issue of Guitarist magazine, where they delve into their journey of acquiring gear and crafting the sound for Mirador. Exploring their shared passion for vintage guitars and the quest for instruments that can match Kiszka’s iconic SG, the musicians shed light on the intricacies of their musical collaboration. For fans eager to learn more about their gear and musical process, the full interview is available in the magazine, offering insights into the creative partnership between these two talented guitarists.