Follow Roger Miller's Lead

by Bob Moses

I spent a lot of time with those Leads during Burma’s first incarnation, watching from behind Roger’s amp, minding the guitars. I owned four over the years, including the early Lead II that is Roger’s primary guitar now (and which he holds and strums throughout our interview). He never lost the habit of borrowing guitars. I depended on their staunch durability no matter what abuse I managed to give them, and their relatively low cost. They could always be replaced if destroyed, and the next one would perform pretty much as the last. I found they could sound remarkably different depending on which pickup position you used and where you hit the strings. I hot-rodded the guitar Roger’s using with a Seymour Duncan Hot Rails humbucker, and I believe he’s now done the same with the other Lead. Another key element of Roger's sound is the Vacu Fuzz pedal developed by friend and producer Lou Giordano. Roger tells me that the Flower Electronics Company in Cambridge, MA, will be producing a new Vacu Fuzz, and that he will be testing prototypes in September.

Because of the low production numbers, the Fender Leads have gained some attention on the collector’s market — and with players who are interested in a solid American-made guitar that is now nearly 30 years old. Some have appeared on eBay and in shops for nearly $1,000, particularly the rare later colors such as yellow, blue, and sunbursts. The Leads are worth an exploration if you’re searching for a tool to carve your own sound. For more, follow this link to a Vintage Guitarcast audio podcast on the Lead series.

Cover photo: Lisa Rigby
Photo this page: Diane Bergamasco (1980)
Right column photo: Izumi Araki

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