🎸 Jake E. Lee, the legendary hard rock guitarist best known for his influential tenure with Ozzy Osbourne and Badlands, is pulling back the curtain on the creation of Red Dragon Cartel’s latest album, Patina. Released today (November 9), the record marks a return to a more organic and blues-infused sound, a vibe directly influenced by the specific vintage guitars Lee chose for the studio.
In a recent interview, Lee revealed that he intentionally sidelined his iconic Charvel “White Pearl” signature guitar—a staple of his Ozzy era—in favor of a revolving door of classic instruments.
🎶 The Vintage Guitar Collection
Instead of relying on his main stage guitar, Lee tapped into a friend’s extensive collection, giving him a rare opportunity to experiment. The majority of the heavy parts and lead work on Patina were split between two major classics:
* ’68 Gibson SG Standard: Used predominantly for the heavier, more aggressive riffs and tones, providing the thick, Gibson growl that contrasts with the album’s lighter moments.
* ’57 Fender Stratocaster: Employed for the majority of the cleaner and more nuanced playing, delivering the bright, classic Fender chime.
Lee explained that recording the album in bassist Anthony Esposito’s Pennsylvania studio allowed them to adopt an old-school approach, similar to his methods with Ozzy Osbourne and Badlands. The main amp driving this sound was a vintage ’73 Marshall 50-watt head, run through a 4×12 cabinet loaded with 25-watt Celestion Greenbacks, ensuring an authentic, time-honored hard rock tone.
🪕 The Most Interesting Song and the Acoustic Surprise
When asked to name the most interesting track on the new Red Dragon Cartel release, Lee pointed to the unexpected diversity within his songwriting. While he did not name the specific song in the available information, he highlighted a track that featured a “quirky riff” leading into an “acoustic-flavored bridge.”
This feature is particularly surprising given Lee’s long-standing preference for electric guitars. “I don’t even own an acoustic!” he confessed, emphasizing that he was drawn to the “growl and ferocity of the electric” from the start. For the few acoustic parts on the album, he borrowed a fine vintage Martin acoustic, showcasing his willingness to explore new textures despite his lifelong commitment to electric blues rock.
The album, Patina, which is available now, has been praised for returning to the bluesier, hard rock essence of Lee’s earlier work, solidifying his legacy as one of rock music’s most revered and technically inventive guitar players.