Honey Pie… or Aurinko?
The first encounter
I had admired Peter’s music for a long time, and in 1998 I noticed he is gigging in my home town with Vesa-Matti Loiri. I gave him a call, and explained I’d like to show him one of my guitars. It was a Duke, that had been just reviewed (and featured on the cover!) in the Finnish guitar magazine Riffi. Peter invited me to the concert, and afterwards I popped the guitar case open. Peter said: “Honey Pie“. Vesa-Matti Loiri peeked over his shoulder and said: “No, it is Aurinko (the sun, in Finnish)“. Peter played the guitar for a while, and told me that it felt really nice. And that’s about it…
… until a couple of weeks later I got a phone call. Peter said the guitar is haunting him in his dreams. He suggested I would visit him, and he could check the guitar out properly in his studio. Off I went.
The Dukebucker was born
Peter ended up buying the guitar, and I did a few modifications as he wished – the bridge pickup was moved 10mm further away from bridge – I installed LR Baggs active piezo system – refretted the guitar with stainless steel – scalloped the fretboard in a style Peter has developed, where the scalloping is done only under the plain strings. I also did a little ‘Honey Pie’ inlay at the end of fretboard. Yep – Vesa-Matti Loiri’s name suggestion was a good one too, but it lost. Peter also participated closely to the development of the Dukebucker pickups, especially the low-wound neck unit, that has a superb, clear, yet singing tonal quality. I was a young builder, and to be able work with Peter in such close relationship was absolutely priceless for me. Thank you Peter – you will always have a special place in my heart.
A living legend
Peter Lerche is one of the living legends of of Finnish guitar scene. He composes, arranges and produces as well, and has a successful career as studio musician and guitar playing teacher. He has worked over the years with a multitude of top artists on the Finnish music scene. The bands Peter has played in include UMO, Otto Donner Treatment, Pekka Pohjola, Jukkis Uotila, Pave Maijanen, Hector, Anssi Tikanmäki Film Orchestra and Vesa-Matti Loiri. Peter has also worked with Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Avanti! and world-famous soprano Karita Mattila. You can find a lot of this music online from Spotify and Apple Music.
I seem to ripen rather slowly…
Peter Lerche published his first solo album Peshawar Diary in October 2002. “I seem to ripen rather slowly”, says Peter. The album was chosen to the “Albums of the Year 2002” listing by Helsingin Sanomat (the biggest Finnish newspaper). Peter has worked closely with his wife Pauliina Lerche in Vesa-Matti Loiri Band, Pauliina & Peter Lerche duet and Kriya – a stunning group mixing eastern and western influences with a touch of traditional Finnish folk music. Peter’s own music is not available online – but I got a permission from him to upload a few tracks from his album to Soundcloud – enjoy! Peter used his Duke for most of the guitar tracks on the album.
