Interview: Peter Frampton Talks Talk Boxes

Click here to see the complete interview from Guitar World:

In the current March 2013 issue of Guitar World, guitar legend Peter Frampton gives GW readers the full “Dear Guitar Hero” treatment, answering 12 questions about everything from Pensa Suhr guitars to the status of his long-lost (and recently recovered) 1954 Gibson Les Paul.

As is usually the case, there was some leftover material from that interview, and you can check out the extra information here and below.

In this portion of the interview, Frampton discusses his talk-box usage and his involvement in recording sessions featuring two former Beatles — George Harrison and Ringo Starr — during the ’70s.

Remember to check out the new issue of Guitar World (with Stevie Ray Vaughan on the cover),which is available now at the Guitar World Online Store, for the bulk of this interview with Frampton.

GUITAR WORLD: Where’d you get the idea for the talk box? Did it take a long time to learn how to use it correctly?

When I was living at home with my parents in the ’60s, there was a radio station called Radio Luxembourg. They used this gadget to do their call letters. Also, I think Alvino Rey started using something approaching the sound of a talk box in 1939. But the guy who showed me the talk box was pedal steel guitarist Pete Drake. So I moved to America and found that Bob Heil was starting to make them because Joe Walsh had asked him to. Pete lent Joe the talk box he used on “Rocky Mountain Way.” I verified this the other day when I spoke with Joe at a Ringo Starr show. Pete’s wife, I think, sent it up to Joe to use on that song.
Head over to Guitar World to read the complete interview.