Roberto Pistolesi, has it really been 9 years ?

[dave robinson]

It is with a great fondness that I remember our dear friend Roberto Pistolisi from Italy, who nine years ago yesterday passed away having succumbed to an incurable illness.
I argued with Roberto over his Gretsch theory and we became good friends, culminating in visits to each other's homes and finally through my connection with Warren Bennett getting him a meeting with Hank. Fond memories indeed and all I can say is that Roberto, you are sorely missed.

[David Martin]

A real gent...

[rogera]

I only met Roberto once briefly at a Shadowmania event and thereafter exchanged many emails.

His enthusiasm and willingness to help others by passing on information was second to none and it was with his help that I made
a clone of a late 50s Fender Tremolux. Roberto was of the opinion that Hank had sometimes used one of those amps.

RIP Roberto.

[Didier]

Time goes fast but we have not forgotten him. I rembember when Roberto came to Rambouillet (France) to present his theories at a Shadtech meeting, a few weeks before his sudden death (I did the translation)...

Didier

[shadowtonio]

hello,

We will not forget him, he was also in Holland/Tilburg shadowmeeting to demonstrate his theorie about the Gretch guitar
used for Apache etc.
May he rest in peace,

tonio

[shadowtonio]

hello,

here a Gretsch demo from you tube, played without echo, just tremolo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VNV2K6DSGw#t=52

tonio

[dave robinson]

It's now twelve years and I think of him and his passion for our music on a daily basis.

[cockroach]

Dave

Without wishing to pressure you to betray any confidences, did you ever hear from Roberto what Hank's response was to his theories?

[JimN]

Yes, twelve years last Thursday (24th May).

Roberto's Swiss (Ticino) friend, Sergio Guerra, has been busy creating a history of Roberto's playing and craft careers:

http://robertopistolesi.it/home_ing.html

And there's also http://www.robertopistolesi.com

RIP, my friend. You're never forgotten.

[dave robinson]

Dave

Without wishing to pressure you to betray any confidences, did you ever hear from Roberto what Hank's response was to his theories?

I helped introduce Roberto to Hank with the help of Warren. Roberto pushed a little too hard and Hank duly ended the meeting.

Incidentally I have been playing some early Shads stuff on my Gretsch 6122 and I get closer to the timbre and sound with that on certain tunes than I can with the Strat. Numbers like 'Back Home' ,' Blue Star' and 'Cosy' seem to sound bloody damn close to my ears. I'll never be convinced that Hank didn't use the Gretcsh for the odd recording, as Malcolm Addey said the Gretsch was often present and the red guitars were only seen less frequently. I don't think we'll ever know because I don't think it fits with the story. Tin hat in place.