My Favorite Axe: 1980 Martin EM-18 Guitar

MY FAVORITE AXE
with Peter Michel of Hibou

BACKGROUND
Peter Michel is a 22-year-old Seattleite who creates summer inspired tunes under the name Hibou. With a self-titled debut LP about to drop, Michel and his band will hit the road for a nation wide tour this month.

MAKE & MODEL
1980 Martin EM-18

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WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU
I saw this guitar pop up on Facebook’s Seattle Music Gear Swap and Sale. It stuck around the page for a few weeks, taunting and teasing me with its dune buggy body and elven headstock. As soon as I got the cash, I claimed it as my baby.

WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE
This is one of the most versatile guitars I’ve ever played. It’s tremendously easy to change the sound from a ’60s surf lead, to a full sounding chorus, which is important for Hibou.

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CUSTOM MODS
I haven’t made any, but whoever owned the guitar before me decided to carve ‘Sam’ into the back of the guitar three times. So Sam shall be its name.

OTHER NOTES
The hard shell case is actually an old modified rifle case.

CAN BE HEARD ON
I got this guitar after all the recording for the album was done. So as of now it can only be seen and heard when Hibou plays live. It will be on the next album undoubtedly.

For more, visit facebook.com/hibouband and instagram.com/hibouband

Got a favorite instrument you’d like to share? Email us at [email protected]
photo by Evan Henry 

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