Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitar Amps
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • EVH trance state
  • Antonoff on Please Please Please
  • “Mick looked peeved. The Beatles had upstaged him”
  • 95k+ free music samples

Recommended reading

Led Zeppelin
Artists “George Harrison didn’t get it at all”: When Led Zeppelin's first LP confused a Beatle — and was ignored by Mick Jagger
Led Zeppelin in 1975
Artists “Whole Lotta Love was clearly the track that everybody would go to”: A classic interview with Jimmy Page
Beatles Abbey Road Billboard on Sunset Strip
Bands "It was ugly, like watching a divorce between four people. After a while, I had to get out": Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick on the recording of Abbey Road, track-by-track
Robert Palmer Addicted To Love
Artists “The groove was so thick. It was unbelievable”: The making of Robert Palmer's Addicted To Love
Joe Elliott in 1981
Artists “Don’t get precious about your songs. We’re going to tear them apart”: Producer Mutt Lange’s first words to Def Leppard
Ian Anderson
Artists “12 million sales is pretty big!”: Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson on the classic album with the “bloody awful” cover
The Beatles in 1966
Artists How one Beatles track spawned a recording technique revolution
  1. Guitars

TG215: The making of 'Led Zeppelin IV'

News
By Matthew Parker published 13 May 2011

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

New issue on sale now!

New issue on sale now!

Total Guitar issue 215 is on sale now. Featuring a detailed look at the making of ‘Led Zeppelin IV’, Devin Townsend, Rise Against, Dennis Coffey (of Motown Funk Brother fame), New York Dolls, Children Of Bodom and Brian Setzer. Browse our gallery to see what else is inside!

Buy Total Guitar for iPad, iPhone and iPod

Buy a digital copy of Total Guitar magazine
(US readers click here)

Total Guitar issue 215 is on sale 13 May to 9 June

Subscribe to TG :: Buy TG215 :: Buy TG215 digital edition :: Where to buy TG

Page 1 of 10
Page 1 of 10
The making of Led Zeppelin IV

The making of Led Zeppelin IV

40 years after its release, TG revisits what is arguably Led Zeppelin’s greatest album and interviews legendary engineer Andy Johns – a man who’s CV also includes Hendrix, Eric Clapton and The Rolling Stones.

Total Guitar issue 215 is on sale 13 May to 9 June

Subscribe to TG :: Buy TG215 :: Buy TG215 digital edition :: Where to buy TG

Page 2 of 10
Page 2 of 10
Monitor

Monitor

All the people, news and noise emanating from guitar land. This month we have an exclusive look at some very famous guitars from the Hard Rock Café vault, a chance to win Sonisphere tickets, a Queensryche studio report and a first-look at some new Boss stompboxes... And that’s just for starters!

Total Guitar issue 215 is on sale 13 May to 9 June

Subscribe to TG :: Buy TG215 :: Buy TG215 digital edition :: Where to buy TG

Page 3 of 10
Page 3 of 10
Access All Areas: Kyus Lives!

Access All Areas: Kyus Lives!

TG caught rebooted stoner gods Kyuss Lives! on their recent UK tour. Read our review of the show and check out our interview with new guitarist Bruno Fevery, who’s faced with filling the big boots of Josh Homme.

Total Guitar issue 215 is on sale 13 May to 9 June

Subscribe to TG :: Buy TG215 :: Buy TG215 digital edition :: Where to buy TG

Page 4 of 10
Page 4 of 10
Devin Townsend: A Man Of Extremes

Devin Townsend: A Man Of Extremes

The former Strapping Young Lad returns with two albums that reveal dual sides of this fascinating player.

Total Guitar issue 215 is on sale 13 May to 9 June

Subscribe to TG :: Buy TG215 :: Buy TG215 digital edition :: Where to buy TG

Page 5 of 10
Page 5 of 10
Dennis Coffey: The psychedelic Funk Brother

Dennis Coffey: The psychedelic Funk Brother

He painted Motown psychedelic and then disappeared. Now this one-time Funk Brother is back and funkier than ever.

Total Guitar issue 215 is on sale 13 May to 9 June

Subscribe to TG :: Buy TG215 :: Buy TG215 digital edition :: Where to buy TG

Page 6 of 10
Page 6 of 10
String 'Em Up: Children Of Bodom

String 'Em Up: Children Of Bodom

The clap, copycat guitars, ‘Malmsteen wannabes’… it’s all par for the course when Finland’s metal messrs get strung up!

Total Guitar issue 215 is on sale 13 May to 9 June

Subscribe to TG :: Buy TG215 :: Buy TG215 digital edition :: Where to buy TG

Page 7 of 10
Page 7 of 10
Learn to play…

Learn to play…

Read the stories behind the songs, get the sound with any setup and play along with backing tracks on the CD. Click the links for associated video lessons.

Full Tabs:
Nirvana ‘Heart-Shaped Box’, Machine Head ‘Halo’, Red Hot Chili Peppers ‘Breaking The Girl’ and Seasick Steve ‘Walkin’ Man’.

Video Lessons:
Led Zeppelin ‘Rock And Roll’
, Muse ‘Supermassive Blackhole’, The Police ‘Walking On the Moon’ and Black Stone Cherry ‘White Trash Millionaire’ (riff, no backing track)

Total Guitar issue 215 is on sale 13 May to 9 June

Subscribe to TG :: Buy TG215 :: Buy TG215 digital edition :: Where to buy TG

Page 8 of 10
Page 8 of 10
Huge gear reviews section

Huge gear reviews section

This month you can read reviews of the Sterling by Music Man JP100 (pictured), Hardwire SP-7, Peavey HP Single Cut SC-3, Group Test: Electro-acoustics under £300, Way Huge Green Rhino MkII, Fender Mustang V head, Head to head: Charvel San Dimas Wild Card Vs Rasmus By Suhr Standard S100, Airline Tux Deluxe, T.Rex Tonebug Chorus + Flanger, Tascam DR-05 and more!

Total Guitar issue 215 is on sale 13 May to 9 June

Subscribe to TG :: Buy TG215 :: Buy TG215 digital edition :: Where to buy TG

Page 9 of 10
Page 9 of 10
Head to head: Charvel VS Rasmus

Head to head: Charvel VS Rasmus

Forged in the 80s, the humbucker, twin singlecoil design dominated an age. Can these respins blast the past to shreds? Find out when we pitch the Charvel San Dimas Wild Card and the Rasmus By Suhr Standard S100 against each other.

Total Guitar issue 215 is on sale 13 May to 9 June

Subscribe to TG :: Buy TG215 :: Buy TG215 digital edition :: Where to buy TG

Page 10 of 10
Page 10 of 10
Matthew Parker
Matthew Parker

Matt is a freelance journalist who has spent the last decade interviewing musicians for the likes of Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, MusicRadar, NME.com, DJ Mag and Electronic Sound. In 2020, he launched CreativeMoney.co.uk, which aims to share the ideas that make creative lifestyles more sustainable. He plays guitar, but should not be allowed near your delay pedals.

Read more
Led Zeppelin
“George Harrison didn’t get it at all”: When Led Zeppelin's first LP confused a Beatle — and was ignored by Mick Jagger
Led Zeppelin in 1975
“Whole Lotta Love was clearly the track that everybody would go to”: A classic interview with Jimmy Page
Beatles Abbey Road Billboard on Sunset Strip
"It was ugly, like watching a divorce between four people. After a while, I had to get out": Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick on the recording of Abbey Road, track-by-track
Robert Palmer Addicted To Love
“The groove was so thick. It was unbelievable”: The making of Robert Palmer's Addicted To Love
Joe Elliott in 1981
“Don’t get precious about your songs. We’re going to tear them apart”: Producer Mutt Lange’s first words to Def Leppard
Ian Anderson
“12 million sales is pretty big!”: Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson on the classic album with the “bloody awful” cover
Latest in Guitars
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: My pick of Father's Day deals for musicians include $400 off the Polyend Play+, $200 off a Martin acoustic and so much more
Gretsch Broadkaster Jr LX Center Block with Bigsby
Gretsch’s unveils new MIJ high-end semi-hollows with redesigned bodies and Pro Twin Six humbuckers
Jackson X and JS Series Surfcasters: the long-awaited offset electric guitar is now being offered in white, satin black and metallic black, and and at the entry-level JS price point and the mid-priced X Series.
“A bold new take on a classic metal machine”: Having ridden the wave of popular demand, Jackson’s Surfcaster offset has landed – and it’s built for speed
Line 6 Helix Stadium XL: The new flagship amp modeller and multi-effects unit is a dramatic expansion of the Helix framework with a suite of state-of-the-art features
Line 6 debuts all-new AI tech as it supercharges its amp modelling platform with the Helix Stadium
Orangewood Del Sol: the new offset is the brand's first ever electric guitar and it was designed in collaboration with Josh Forest of TreeTone Guitars.
Orangewood teams up with TreeTone for its first-ever electric – a baritone offset semi, priced $695
Kirk Hammett of Metallica wears a studded denim jacket as he plays live with his Mummy ESP signature guitar
“Guitars should be played”: Kirk Hammett has been anonymously selling his guitars online
Latest in News
Home studio
You don't need to be a music theory expert to make electronic music, but it helps - here's our guide to the basics
Ed Sheeran, Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix
How Ed Sheeran generated royalties for Bob Dylan by borrowing from Jimi Hendrix
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: My pick of Father's Day deals for musicians include $400 off the Polyend Play+, $200 off a Martin acoustic and so much more
pmt
"It’s been a tough few years": UK gear retailer PMT closes its doors, makes 96 staff redundant and sells £2.4m of stock to Gear4Music
Gretsch Broadkaster Jr LX Center Block with Bigsby
Gretsch’s unveils new MIJ high-end semi-hollows with redesigned bodies and Pro Twin Six humbuckers
Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter on her musical heroes, why she decided to release a new album so soon... and Rush

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...