Shergold Custom Masquerader 12-string

The Shergold Custom Masquerader 12-string is a 12-string solid body electric guitar from the Masquerader series, produced between 1975 and circa 1981. Unlike most Shergold guitars, guitars from this series had a double cutaway which was more accessible to musicians.

Peter Gabriel himself has had a cherry-finished Shergold Custom Masquerader 12-string guitar for a long time. As per a 1977 news report, Peter ordered for a custom Shergold - specifically a 12-string version of the Modulator double necked guitar ex-Genesis colleague Mike Rutherford commissioned the company to build (which he would be best known for). But Peter's guitar is a Masquerader model, rather than a Modulator he would have initially suggested they make. Thus it can be concluded Peter's Masquerador is a 1977 Shergold "Traditional Custom" variant, with the pickups mounted on a scratchplate and a nailed on plastic shield logo with the "Custom" label on it.

This particular guitar was used on Peter's most commercially successful record, So - played by guitarist David Rhodes and possibly Daniel Lanois as well. David talked about playing the Shergold on "Red Rain" although significantly buried in the mix - generally with 12-string guitars he'd EQ them to remove the high end so they produce a very tinny sound and take up less space in the mix.

The Shergold is still in use (at least) at Peter's Real World Studios.

Sources/further info
Peter Gabriel's Real World Recording Studio]
 * [http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/music/realworld/index.html Enjoy the Music.com Review Magazine on
 * Guitar Player, September 1987
 * 1977 news report of unknown source
 * Peter Gabriel So classic albums documentary
 * Shergold models & variants