Led Zeppelin – Houses of the Holy (Remaster)
The music gear and equipment used by the artists, producers, engineers, and more involved in the making of the 1973 album Houses of the Holy (Remaster).
Music from Houses of the Holy (Remaster)
Artists on Houses of the Holy (Remaster)
Gear Used On Houses of the Holy (Remaster)
Explore the instruments, equipment, software, and production tools used in the making of Led Zeppelin – Houses of the Holy (Remaster) (1973). Click more on each item to see exactly how it was used.
John Paul Jones
Roles:
Keyboards and Synthesizers used by John Paul Jones on Houses of the Holy (Remaster)
The Keyboards of Led Zeppelin & John Paul Jones website covers John Paul Jones's use of the Hohner Electra Piano:
Jones preferred recording with the Hohner instead of the popular Rhodes and Wurlitzer pianos, as he liked its stiff keyboard action better. John Paul Jones didn't use the ElectraPiano live; only in the studio. This is because its wooden casing was more like home furniture, and was not too portable. It's sound was not clear live. "It didn't really cut through. Plus, it wasn't really built for road work. It was the sort of thing you'd have in your front room. I think that's what it was designed for," said Jones.
"Stairway To Heaven" is Led Zeppelin's most famous track, and the Hohner piano is played in a supporting role beginning at 2:14. Jones recalls playing directly into the console and using the Hohner for the piano chords with left hand bass. The part is very subtle, a supportive texture underneath the guitar tracks that follows the chord progression.
Following "Stairway To Heaven" on Zeppelin's fourth album is "Misty Mountain Hop," a bouncing heavy rock song that is based around a strong syncopated ElectraPiano riff. The riff continues throughout the song and is heavier sounding than the "Stairway To Heaven" piano, as it was recorded through its amp and speaker, not directly to the console.
Led Zeppelin's most obvious "keyboard" song comes from the Houses of the Holy album. Beginning with a long electric piano instrumental, "No Quarter" was Jones's featured solo section in the live show for many years. The Hohner is processed through an EMS VCS3 synthesizer to create a 'wobbly' sound. In concert, Jones extended the song with lengthy improvisations and duets with Jimmy Page on guitar.
"Down By The Seaside" is another Hohner ElectraPiano song, with Jones playing a traditional country-pop piano arrangement.
Avg price: $975.00
According to The Keyboard Sounds of Led Zeppelin & John Paul Jones website, Jones played a Farfisa VIP-255 organ on "Dancing Days" and during some live shows in 1972-73.
John Paul Jones only used the Farfisa VIP organ on one Led Zeppelin track, but it is a very distinctive contribution. In fact, it is one of the most interesting overdubs on any Led Zeppelin album. For "Dancing Days" on Houses of the Holy, Jones used this animated sound to add interest to the later verses (beginning at 1:38). The chord tones sweep up and down from the correct pitch, but slightly behind the beat, creating a rythmic effect, as well as a pitch glissando. (This glide is very similar to the unique "portamento" setting on many Yamaha analog synthesizers.) During the late 1972/early 1973 tours, the Farfisa was sometimes used on top of the Hammond organ, and was featured on "Dancing Days." On some shows, a very small Hohner combo organ appears on top of the Rhodes or Mellotron.
Avg price: $1,200.00
John Paul Jones played a Farfisa Professional Duo during Led Zeppelin's 1970-71 U.S. tour. This photo comes from Zeppelin's show at the Forum on September 4, 1970 in Los Angeles, California. Jones would later play a similar Farfisa organ, the Farfisa VIP-255, on "Dancing Days" from Houses of the Holy.
Additional photo from a 1970 concert at the Assembly Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma here.
Bass Guitars used by John Paul Jones on Houses of the Holy (Remaster)
Avg price: $1,175.62
"Bought for $250 to keep up with his heavy load of work as a session musician, Jones’s sunburst 1962 Jazz Bass was his main axe for his work with Led Zeppelin.
Jones used this bass on almost every Led Zeppelin track live and in the studio up until 1975, where he had to retire the instrument due to issues with the action and electronics.
Later on, JPJ would revive his love affair with the Jazz Bass for his work in the studio with Them Crooked Vultures, and would occasionally bring it out for live appearances."
Source: https://mixdownmag.com.au/features/gear-rundown-john-paul-jones/
Jones confirmed that he used a 1962 Fender Jazz Bass in an interview with Vintage Guitar, stating "I was just never that particular about keeping things original. Even my old Fender bass that I used in Zeppelin has gone through many re-sprays and this and that. I probably shouldn’t have, but it’s a ’62 Jazz Bass which I bought new. I bought it to play, not to hang on the wall; I hate instruments hanging on walls. They’re hanging on all my walls, but I use them all."
John Bonham
Roles:
Drum Sets used by John Bonham on Houses of the Holy (Remaster)
Ludwig Classic Maple Green Sparkle Drumkit
Avg price: $3,553.00
John Bonham was given three Ludwig Green Sparkle drumkits in the spring of 1970. In addition to using this drumkit on stage from 1970 until the end of the 1973 European tour, it was his favorite kit to use in the studio, recording Led Zeppelin III, Houses Of The Holy and Physical Graffiti.
An image of Bonham playing the Ludwig Green Sparkle kit in the background here.
Guitars used by John Bonham on Houses of the Holy (Remaster)
Avg price: $2,200.00
In this photo, Bonham can be seen playing a Martin D-28 during Houses of the Holy album in 1972.