A Birmingham guitar luthier to give cancer-stricken metal legend, Tony Iommi some guitar therapy.

John Diggins has just delivered a cherry red SG guitar to the Handsworth-born founder of Black Sabbath and is now working on another which will be ready in two months for Tony who is battling lymphoma.

Both are replicas of Tony’s famous “monkey” SG, crafted by John in 1975. Now in mothballs, the guitar is one of the most famous in the world.

John, head of Jaydee custom guitars, a family run business he runs with sons Mike and Andy, told the mail Iommi wants a collection of the instruments, all given a “fatigued” finish so they look old.

He said: “The guitars keep him occupied, which I think is important. He told me he wants a wall covered in them.”

The 67 year old refused to comment on the costs, but admitted it ran into the thousands.

John’s association with heavy metal legend stretches back 40 years. The black Jaydee SG became the legend’s trademark. “It’s probably the most photographed guitar in the world, he used it for 30 years before deciding it was time to wrap it in cotton wool,” added John.

Left-handed guitarist Iommi lost the tips of his fingers while working in a sheet metal factory as a teenager, but learnt to play with thimbles bandaged to his fingers to extend them.

News he is fighting lymphoma was released shortly after the news of the original line-up: Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Ozzy Osbourne and Bill Ward, were working on their first album in 33 years. A worldwide tour is also planned.

Tony was named greatest metal guitarist of all time by Guitar World in 2004.

Monday January 23^rd 2012
The Onlines