Active Band Man Chats - Drinks That Match Instruments

Gulp, gulp, gulp...

Prince?

Gulp, gulp...

Hey, Prince?

Gulp, gulp... Ahhh!

What are you drinking? W’'re starting the column!

My apologies. But hey, drinks are important!

Well, they say over half of the human body is water.

Exactly!

Exactly what!?

Every instrument has a drink that suits it perfectly. Don’t you think?

Uh... I’ve never thought about it, but is that today’s theme?

Exactly!

Bingo.

You’re sharp, Horry!

This introduction... I had a feeling, but still. Alright, let’s hear it.

Okay! Let’s start with the iconic Gibson Les Paul!

And the drink that matches it is?

Bourbon!

Ah, so it’s that kind of approach. I was wondering how you’d tackle this theme. Makes sense... kind of.

Imagine someone playing this guitar—

Gibson / Les Paul Standard 50s Figured Top Heritage Cherry Sunburst
—like a hard rocker in the vein of Guns N’ Roses, but then sipping on some healthy tea. Bit of a buzzkill, right? That’s the idea!

I mean, I don’t see an issue with someone drinking healthy tea, but okay, I get the vibe. Personally, Les Pauls remind me of Jack Daniel’s—probably because of Slash or X Japan’s Pata.

Next up, the classic Fender Telecaster!

Fender / American Vintage II 1951 Telecaster M Butterscotch Blonde

And the drink?

Budweiser!

Ah, for the American image?

Exactly!

I see... though I’m not much of a drinker.

Now, for Rickenbacker—

Rickenbacker / 620 FG (Fireglo)

What’s the match?

German beer!

And the reasoning?

Rickenbacker is synonymous with The Beatles, and The Beatles’ time in Hamburg is legendary. Let’s drink it at room temperature!

Warm beer? Pass—I don’t drink.

Next up—

Squier / Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster Candy Apple Red

Hmm, Squier’s...?

Since it’s a Candy Apple Red guitar, cider!

Apple-based alcohol? This one’s more about the color than the guitar, isn’t it?

Exactly! And speaking of colors—

Fender / Made in Japan Junior Collection Jazzmaster Satin Daphne Blue

Refreshing color! You really like this shade, don’t you?

Of course. It’s as refreshing as I am!

Yeah, I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Since it’s light blue, a refreshing sports drink!

Makes sense—and since it’s from the Junior Collection, a non-alcoholic choice works better.

Exactly! Next—

Yamaha / Pacifica Professional Shell White

Yamaha’s flagship, the Pacifica!

Its meticulous craftsmanship and precision remind me of sake—served chilled!

Chilled or not, I don’t drink (third time). Moderation, please.

I’m just drunk on myself!

Sure, sure. Speaking of alcohol, don’t forget—

What now?

This!

SH (Sound House) / SoundHoushu Junmai Daiginjo

An original sake from Sound House!

Sound House really does have everything! Would it pair best with their house brand, PLAYTECH?

PLAYTECH / ST250SSH Guitar Beginner’s Kit Maple White

Absolutely! Let’s not forget basses.

Ibanez / TMB100-SDL

Interesting—this bass doesn’t scream Ibanez.

With the Talman shape and PJ pickup configuration, it’s a solid workhorse.

True, great value for money. And the drink?

The Soda Blue color calls for soda water!

Again with the color connection!

Next up—semi-hollow guitars!

Epiphone / ES-339 Cherry

This is another classic in the Gibson lineup—feels a bit more mature.

Right? One day, when I grow up, I want to play one of these!

Let’s hope that happens.

The Cherry Red finish calls for a cocktail with cherry liqueur!

You’re leaning on the color theme again, but I kind of get it...

Exactly! Now, from semi-hollow to full hollow!

Ibanez / GB10SE-BS George Benson Model

Classy!

One day, when I grow up, I’ll play jazz on a guitar like this.

Let’s hope that day comes (for the second time).

The perfect drink for this? Whiskey!

Fair enough... George Benson has that stylish, sophisticated vibe—light and elegant.

It’s spelled ‘whisky’, though!

That feels very vintage—like something from the Showa era.

Specifically, a Yamazaki 20-year would suit it perfectly!

I wouldn’t know about that.

Another full-hollow guitar coming up!

D’Angelico / Excel EXL-1 Dark Iced Tea Burst

A slightly lighter sunburst?

It’s called Dark Iced Tea Burst.

So that means...

Iced tea, of course! Let’s go for unsweetened to truly savor it.

So, no effects—just the pure flavor.

You’re catching on!

Uh, sure... if you say so.

Speaking of tea, this guitar is a no-brainer for rose tea, right?

There it is! The usual rose guitar. But isn’t it a bit early for the punchline?

Next up! When you think of full-hollow guitars, it has to be... Gretsch!

Gretsch / G6229TG LTD Players ED Sparkle Jet BT Champagne Sparkle

Looks great.

This one suits all kinds of alcohol, but let’s go with champagne based on the color!

Personally, I associate Gretsch with bourbon, but... fair enough. The color does have a bubbly sparkle, like champagne.

How about some Dom Pérignon?

No, thank you.

Pick me instead!

No, thank you (again).

Call Kizuhiko! Call me!

If you faint, you know the drill (a classic at The Captains’ live shows).

We’ve been leaning heavily on foreign alcohol, but maybe something like this would work too?

Zen-On / SS-01 Okinawan Sanshin Starter Set

Oh, a sanshin! That means...

Awamori!

Of course!

We’ve covered quite a few instruments by now, so let’s try going the other way—think of a drink we haven’t mentioned yet and find a matching instrument.

For example?

Tequila!

Is there one?

This!

Fender / Player Plus Stratocaster Maple Tequila Sunrise

Ah, I see... the finish is called Tequila Sunrise. You always manage to dig up these perfectly fitting instruments.

How about that!

You’ve done it again. What’s next?

Vodka!

A strong Russian spirit. Is there an instrument that matches it?

Of course!

Electro-Harmonix / Green Russian Big Muff Pi Distortion/Fuzz

Ah, I see where you’re going with this. Makes sense, though.

And for the finale, Shaoxing wine!

Do we have anything for that?

Absolutely!

Ōoka Shizan / Shizan Mingdi 4th Edition in C Key

What’s this?

It’s a ‘Mingdi’, a flute originating from the Ming Dynasty (modern-day China).

Sound House really has everything (second time around). Are we wrapping up soon?

We can’t forget the ultimate icon of electric guitars, the Stratocaster!

Fender / 2024 MIJ Hybrid II Stratocaster Rosewood Quilt Aquamarine

Ah, come to think of it, this hasn’t come up yet. It’s usually one of the first mentioned.

This one was the toughest to match!

And the conclusion?

The Strat, being so versatile, can sometimes feel flavorless and neutral... so, mineral water!

Hmm... that’s a bit of a stretch.

Are you okay, Horry? Have a drink!

Not that kind of stretch...

And so, hydration is important! Because everything is?

For love!