Beat Instrumental Back issue No. 147 January 1979

REVIEWS BIRD BROTHERS COMBO an excellent new valve amp sighted by the ever observant binoculars of Peter Douglas 28 YAMAHA SS30 the string machine with no strings attached 30 HOHNER GUITAR some good, some indifferent and Tom Stock just couldn't make up his mind 32 ROLAND BOSS EFFECTS workers as well as Bosses, concludes our man on the pedalboard 34 ACOUSTIC AMP PD grapples with graphic, peers up port, twiddles with tones and comes out smiling 36 IBANEZ ARTIST first prize in this month's competition paints a pretty picture for Peter Douglas 38 ALBUM REVIEWS including the best of '78 44
FEATURES PATRICK MORAZ Pat plugged in 16 synthesizers; Chris Simmonds plugged in his tape recorder 16 GARY MOORE The unexpurgated life story of Lizzy's new guitarist as told to Tom Stock 20 IMPROVING YOUR GUITAR Gary Cooper wields screwdriver and hacksaw over an apprehensive axe . 42 ROBERT JOHNSON The Memphis session-man turned solo artist comes out of the closet to greet Peter Douglas 50 RICHARD THOMPSON English 'I'm no guitar hero' folkie makes rare visit to London from Norfolk hideaway. Tom Stock reports 55