What Is “Stairway to Heaven”?
The 1971 classic rock song “Stairway to Heaven” is one of the most iconic and beloved songs of all time, having been covered by numerous artists since its release. The song, written by guitarist Jimmy Page and vocalist Robert Plant and performed by the now legendary band Led Zeppelin, was released on the album Led Zeppelin IV and quickly skyrocketed to the top of the charts, becoming Led Zeppelin’s highest-selling single. “Stairway to Heaven” is still viewed as a classic rock anthem, having been recorded in numerous film and television soundtracks and inspiring hundreds of covers by music acts all around the world.
What Type of Guitar Was Used to Record “Stairway to Heaven”?
The guitar that was used in the original recording of “Stairway to Heaven” is one of the most iconic instruments of all time: an Epiphone Casino. The Casino guitar is often associated with the classic rock and pop sound of the 1960s, as it was made popular by several guitarists of that era, including the Beatles and others like Paul Weller and John Lee Hooker. The Casino is a semi-hollow body electric guitar with a sharp, bright tone and a very distinctive sound. It is built with a maple top and body, plus a set of two P-90 pickups and a 6-position switch for tonal variety.
The Casino guitar was used for the recording of “Stairway to Heaven” because it had a sound that was perfect for the dreamy, psychedelic vibe of the song. The semi-acoustic design allowed for a very dynamic range of tones, from chiming clean notes to thick, bluesy crunch. The single-coil pickups of the Casino allowed for the sparkle and clarity needed to recreate the intricate guitar lines of the song.
Jimmy Page’s Use of the Casino Difficulty
Despite the fact that the Casino had been used by many popular artists before, Jimmy Page found it somewhat difficult to record with. He had become used to working with the heavier, solid-body guitars that he had used on previous Led Zeppelin albums, and the Casino had a very different feel and response. Page had to re-learn his approach in the studio, but he eventually got the hang of it and the results speak for themselves.
The Casino’s semi-acoustic design was perfect for the kind of ambience and dynamics needed for the song. On certain parts of the song, Page employed a technique where he would strum the strings wildly and use the natural reverberation of the guitar’s hollow body to his advantage. This technique is especially evident during the bridge section of the song, where he creates a thick, cascading sound by simply letting his strumming hand wander up and down the guitar neck.
In Summary
The classic rock anthem “Stairway to Heaven” was recorded with an iconic instrument: an Epiphone Casino. The Casino is a semi-hollow body electric guitar with a bright, energetic tone. It was ideal for the recording of “Stairway to Heaven” because of its dynamic range and sparkling single-coil pickups. Jimmy Page did find it difficult to work with the Casino at first, but eventually he was able to produce the legendary guitar parts of the song with it.
Image Credit: Pexels