List of Gibson players

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This is an alphabetical list of notable guitarists who have used Gibson guitars.

Contents: Top - 0–9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

[edit] A

• Duane Allman (The Allman Brothers Band)- used a 1957 Les Paul Goldtop w. PAF pickups, a 1958/59 cherry sunburst Les Paul, a 1958 tobacco sunburst Les Paul and a 1968 cherry SG.^[1]
• Gem Archer (Oasis) - uses non-reverse Firebirds.
• Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day) - uses a Les Paul Junior. Gibson has produced a Billie Joe Armstrong Signature Les Paul Junior model.^[2]
• Chet Atkins Switched to Gibson from Gretsch in the early 1980s. Gibson made thousands of Country Gentlemen and Tennessean models, as well as several innovative acoustic/electric models.

[edit] B

• Carl Barât (Dirty Pretty Things) - uses a Les Paul Junior.
• Martin Barre (Jethro Tull) has used numerous Gibson models over the course of his career including: a sunburst ES-330, a 1958 Les Paul Special and a 1959 Les Paul Standard.^[3]
• Jeff Beck - used a Les Paul Standard while a member of The Yardbirds. A different Les Paul Standard, purchased from Rick Neilson,^{[citation needed]} was used while with the Jeff Beck Group. And an "Oxblood" coloured 1954 Les Paul Standard, with PAF pickups, from 1972-1976.
• Matthew Bellamy (Muse) - has used SGs and Les Pauls.
• Chuck Berry - used an ES-350T early in his career later switching to ES-345s and ES-355s.
• Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown - has used various Gibsons including: ES-335s and L-5s. His main guitar was a late-60s non-reverse Firebird.
• Marc Bolan (T. Rex) - used Les Paul Customs and Flying Vs and an a Hummingbird.
• James Dean Bradfield (Manic Street Preachers) - uses a Les Paul Custom.
• Jack Bruce (Cream) - used several Gibson EB-3 basses during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Used a 1950s-vintage EB bass during the 2005 Cream reunion concerts.
• Buckethead - uses 2 white customized Les Pauls and an SG.^[4]
• Michelle Branch - uses a Hummingbird.

[edit] C

• Larry Carlton - uses a sunburst 1968 ES-335 along with occasional use of a 1956 Les Paul Special and a 1963 L5.^[5] A Larry Carlton Signature Model has been produced by Gibson for the man they call "Mr ES-335".^[6]
• Eric Clapton - used a Les Paul while with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers.^[7] While with Cream, Clapton used a 1965 SG^[8] painted by Dutch art collective The Fool. Also, while with Cream, Clapton used a cherry 1964 ES-355,^[9] a Les Paul Black Beauty and a Firebird I. A 1958 Explorer^[10] was used during recording for his 461 Ocean Boulevard and EC Was Here albums. Clapton still makes occasional use of an ES-335 model during live performances.
• Steve Clark (Def Leppard) - used a Les Paul and a Firebird.
• Allen Collins - used a Firebird, and later switched to the Explorer.
• Sheryl Crow - uses a Country Western model, Hummingbird, L-00 Blues King, J-200 Western Classic, 96 Advanced Jumbo, 96 Southern Jumbo, J45, ES-120, ES-125, ES-335 and various Les Pauls.^[11]

[edit] D

• Dave Davies (The Kinks) - has used numerous Gibson models over the years including: a 1958 Flying V(prototype model), a 1960 Goldtop Les Paul and a 1978 Artisan.^[12]
• Tom DeLonge (Angels and Airwaves, Blink 182) - has a Signature model ES-335.
• Mike Dirnt (Green Day) - used a G-3 bass.
• K.K. Downing (Judas Priest) - used a Flying V.
• Andy Dunlop (Travis) - uses a Les Paul.
• Bob Dylan - uses a variety of Gibson models including: a J-50, a J-200, a J-180 and a J-45.

[edit] E

• John Entwistle (The Who) - used several Thunderbird IV basses during the early 1970s and later used custom-made Thunderbird models with Fender Precision Bass necks. Entwistle also used an EB-2 bass during the early days of The Who.
• Everly Brothers - J-200, Everly Brothers Model.
• The Edge (U2) - uses several Gibson models including an Explorer, a Les Paul and an SG.

[edit] F

• Ace Frehley (KISS)- uses a 3 pickup Les Paul Custom as well as an Ace Frehley Signature Model.
• Robin Finck (Nine Inch Nails/Guns N' Roses) - uses a variety of Les Pauls.
• John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival and a solo artist) uses a variety of Les Paul models.
• Jon Foreman (Switchfoot) uses an SG.
• Peter Frampton (Humble Pie and a solo artist) uses a 3 pickup Les Paul Custom.
• Lars Frederiksen (Rancid, Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards) uses cherry sunburst SG Specials and a polaris white 1965 SG Special.

[edit] G

• Steve Gaines (Lynyrd Skynyrd) - used a Les Paul.
• Noel Gallagher (Oasis) - uses a variety of Les Paul models, a cherry ES-355, a Firebird and a J-200.
• Björn Gelotte (In Flames) - uses a Les Paul Custom.
• Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) - has used several different Gibson models over the course of his career including Goldtop Les Pauls, Flying Vs, Explorers, ES-5 Switchmasters and Les Paul Juniors. His main guitar is a 1959 Les Paul Standard nicknamed "Pearly Gates". Gibbons has stated: "Pearly has such an unmistakable character that we felt it was necessary to find another instrument with a similar sound to use as a spare guitar. We accumulated dozens of guitars, but nothing quite matched her. But instead of tossing these other acquisitions away, they kept accumulating. It's an ongoing saga that never ends."^[13][14]
• Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters) - uses many different Gibson models including: Explorers, SGs, ES-335s and Firebirds.
• David Gilmour - uses a 1956 Les Paul Goldtop fitted with a Bigsby tailpiece.
• Simon Gallup (The Cure) - uses a Thunderbird IV bass.

[edit] H

• Steve Hackett (Genesis (band)) - uses a Les Paul.
• Kirk Hammett (Metallica) uses a Flying V and a variety of Les Paul models.
• Emmylou Harris - uses a Dove, a variety of J-200's and a J-200 Western Classic.
• George Harrison - used a Les Paul Standard, SG Standard, ES-345-TD, J-160E and a J-200.
• Warren Haynes (Gov't Mule) - uses a Les Paul Custom, an ES-335 and a Firebird.
• Jimi Hendrix (The Jimi Hendrix Experience) - used several Gibson models including an SG and a Flying V. Gibson has released a replica model of his Flying V.
• Martin Henriksson (Dark Tranquillity) - uses an Explorer and a Les Paul Studio.
• James Hetfield (Metallica) - used a white Explorer and also a Les Paul Custom.
• Noel Hogan (The Cranberries) - uses a Les Paul.
• Steve Howe (Yes, Asia, GTR) - uses an ES-175.
• Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam) - has used several models of Les Pauls.
• Matt Heafy (Trivium) - uses Les Paul models

[edit] I

• Frank Iero (My Chemical Romance) - uses a Les Paul Custom and an SG. Previously used a variety of Zakk Wylde Les Paul Signature Models.
• Khalid Ilahi (Beyond Shadows)- uses an Explorer.
• Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath)- has used an SG throughout most of his career but also owns other Gibson models. Currently his collection includes: a rare "Barney Kessel" left-handed model^[15], a red SG nicknamed "monkey"^[16], a red Gibson Custom Shop SG^[17], a black Gibson Custom Shop SG^[18] and a black SG Standard^[19] Gibson has produced a Tony Iommi Signature SG.^[20]

[edit] J

• Stephan Jenkins (Third Eye Blind)- uses an Explorer, a Goldtop Les Paul and a 1959 J-200 acoustic.
• Daniel Johns (SilverChair) - uses an SG.
• Robert Johnson used an L-1 acoustic. A Robert Johnson Signature Model is available from Gibson.
• Adam Jones (Tool) - uses a Les Paul Custom with a "Silverburst" finish.
• Brian Jones (The Rolling Stones) - used an ES-330, a 1956 Les Paul Goldtop and various Firebirds both reverse and non-reverse.

[edit] K

• Albert King a left-handed "upside-down/backwards" guitarist: he was left-handed but usually played right-handed guitars (Gibson Flying V) flipped over upside-down so the low E string was on the bottom.
• B. B. King - has used many different Gibson models including: an ES-5 and an ES-175 early in his career. Later he would use several Gibson thinline semi-acoustic models such as: an ES-330, ES-335, ES-345. King's Signature ES-355, nicknamed Lucille, has been his main guitar for many years.
• Mike Kennerty (The All-American Rejects) used an SG.
• Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits and solo) - uses original 1958 and 1959 Les Paul Standard models. He also uses ES-335 and Super 400s.
• Erkin Koray - uses 1961 Les Paul Custom.
• Paul Kossoff (Free) - used several late-50s Les Paul Standards. Kossoff also used an ES-335 for occasional studio use.
• Robby Krieger (The Doors) - uses an SG and an ES-335.

[edit] L

• Albert Lee - uses a Les Paul Custom, a J-200 and Everly Brothers Model.
• John Lennon - used a J-160E extensively while with the Beatles. Lennon also used a Les Paul Special and a modified Les Paul Junior.^[21][22]
• Alex Lifeson (Rush) - Has used many different Gibson models over the course of his career including: a sunburst ES-335, a black ES-345, a white ES-355, a white EDS-1275, a cherry SG, a sunburst Howard Roberts Fusion III, a variety of Les Paul models and a J-150 acoustic.^[23][24]
• Billy Lunn (The Subways) - uses various SGs and has also used a Les Paul.

[edit] M

• Ian MacKaye (Fugazi)- used an SG Standard and an SG Special.
• Daron Malakian (System of a Down) - uses an SG.
• Phil Manzanera (Roxy Music) used a Firebird VII.
• Bob Marley (Bob Marley and The Wailers) - used a Les Paul Custom. The guitar is buried with him in his mausoleum.
• Tak Matsumoto (B'z) - has a Signature Model Les Paul.
• John Mayer- uses a Les Paul Double Cut and a ES-345.
• Paul McCartney - uses a Les Paul. Also uses a C-5 acoustic in the studio.
• Mike McCready (Pearl Jam) - uses a Les Paul.
• Jimmy McCulloch (Wings, The Small Faces) - used an SG and a Les Paul.
• John McLaughlin - has used many different models over the years, including:Les Pauls, an EDS-1275, ES-335s, Byrdlands, a sunburst dual-pickup Johnny Smith model, an ES-345 as well as Hummingbird acoustics.
• Ralph McTell - uses a J-45 acoustic.
• Wes Montgomery - used an ES-175 early in his career as well as an L-5CESs. Gibson currently produces a Wes Montgomery Signature Model L-5CES.
• Gary Moore (Thin Lizzy/Skid Row/solo) - uses a Les Paul Standard. Previously had a Les Paul Signature Model. Regularly uses a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard once owned by Peter Green.^[25]
• Bob Mould (Hüsker Dü) - used an Explorer for a filmed concert at Camden Palace, London in 1985; however, his signature Flying V was really an Ibanez replica of the Gibson version.

[edit] N

• Michael Nesmith (The Monkees) - used a Les Paul Black Beauty.
• Mike Ness (Social Distortion) - used various Les Paul models.
• Kevin Wasserman (The Offspring) - used Firebird Studio models and also Les Pauls.
• Krist Novoselic (Nirvana) - used a variety of Gibson basses including an RD and a Ripper.

[edit] O

• Shavo Odadjian (System of a Down) - uses a Thunderbird.
• Mike Oldfield - used a Les Paul and an SG.
• Jack Owens (MK)- Sometimes uses a ES-335 on stage and a Les Paul in the Studio. He is more frequently seen using a Strat or Telecaster, or a Casino. Also has a Hollowbody Les Paul Bass.
• Roy Orbison - used an ES-335. Also used a Les Paul(with a Bigsby tailpiece).

[edit] P

• Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin/solo) - uses a 1958 Les Paul Standard ("Number 1"), a 1959 Les Paul Standard ("Number 2", a gift from Joe Walsh)^[26], a 1973 Les Paul Standard, an EDS-1275, a 1977 RD Artist, an ES5 Switchmaster, a Goldtop Premium Les Paul and a 1991 Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul (built to be an exact replica of "Number 1" and re-nicknamed "Number 3"). Page also owned a modified 1960 Les Paul Custom "Black Beauty" with a Bigsby Tailpiece.^[27] This guitar was stolen in 1970 and never recovered.^[28] For acoustics Page used a Hummingbird, a J-200 and an A-2 mandolin. Gibson has released a Jimmy Page Signature Model Les Paul Les Paul replicating the features of "Number 2".^[29][30][31]
• Joe Pass - used a sunburst ES-175; Epiphone currently produces a Joe Pass signature Emperor model.
• Pata (Tomoaki Ishizuka) (X-Japan, Ra:IN, Dope HEADz) - has used '59 Les Paul Standard and Les Paul Custom
• Les Paul (Lester William Polfus) - the creator of the Gibson Les Paul, uses a custom model.
• Joe Perry (Aerosmith) - has used many Gibson guitars over the years, including Les Pauls, Flying Vs, and Firebirds; has signature Gibson and Epiphone Les Paul models (Boneyard).
• Vicki Peterson (The Bangles) - Has played a variety of electric and acoustic guitars in live performances. Among those are Les Pauls.
• Guy Picciotto (Fugazi) Occasionally used a white Les Paul Junior Double Cutaway.
• Andy Powell - (Wishbone Ash) Andy Powell helped to popularise the Flying V in the late 60's - early 1970's.
• John Prine uses a J-200.

[edit] R

• Mick Ralphs(Bad Company/Mott The Hoople) - Used a Gibson Les Paul Junior, Firebird & Les Paul during Mott, a Les Paul Standard & Flying Vee during Bad Co. Currently uses Les Paul Custom Shop '58 & '59 Re-issues.
• Randy Rhoads (Quiet Riot/Ozzy Osbourne) - used a Les Paul Custom.
• Keith Richards (The Rolling Stones) - used Les Pauls, Flying Vs and Firebirds in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Currently uses ES-355s, Les Paul Juniors and a Les Paul Standard. Also uses Hummingbird and J-200.
• Howard Roberts - used several Gibson models over the course of his career including: an ES-175, an L-10^[32] and a heavily modified ES-150 simply known as "The Black Guitar".^[33] Gibson produces a signature model Howard Roberts Fusion III which is a variation of an ES-165.
• Gary Rossington (Lynyrd Skynyrd) - uses Les Pauls and SGs. Previously had a Signature Model Les Paul and SG released by Gibson.

[edit] S

• Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi) - used an L-5S, an Explorer and a Flying V.
• Michael Schenker (Scorpions/UFO/Michael Schenker Group)- used four different 1970s Flying V models. Number 1 was a modified 1975. Numbers 2 and 3 were 1979 block inlay Flying Vs. And Number 4 was a mid 1970s white Flying V, formerly owned by Leon Lawson. Numbers 1,2 and 3 had Schenker's trademark "half black/half white" paint scheme.^{[citation needed]}
• Rudolph Schenker (Scorpions)- uses various Flying V models dating from 1958-2001. He uses 3 1958 original Flying Vs, 3 1967-1969 Flying Vs, 2 1971 Medallions (one was repainted black & white), 1 1975 natural finish Flying V, 3 1983 replicas of the 1958 originals, 4 1980 models and 2 1984 Rudolf Schenker Signature Models. Schenker has over 70 vintage and collectible Flying Vs along with sveral Gibson Custom Shop limited editions including a doubleneck Flying V model.[1]
• Drew Shirley (Switchfoot) - uses a Goldtop Les Paul.
• Gene Simmons Kiss - used a Ripper.
• Matt Skiba (Alkaline Trio) - uses a Les Paul Custom.
• Slash (Guns N' Roses/Slash's Snakepit/Velvet Revolver) - uses many different Les Paul models. Has also used an EDS-1275.
• Jesper Strömblad (In Flames) - uses an Explorer Voodoo model.
• Hubert Sumlin - used a 1956 Les Paul Goldtop for many years. Currently uses various Les Pauls and ES-335s.
• John Sykes (Thin Lizzy/Whitesnake/Blue Murder) - uses a 1978 Les Paul Custom. Gibson has released a Custom Shop version of this guitar.
• Niklas Sundin (Dark Tranquillity) - uses an SG, a Les Paul Standard and a Les Paul Gothic model.
• Robert Smith (The Cure)
• Andrew Stockdale (Wolfmother) - uses an SG standard and occasionally an ES-335
• Shavo Odadjian (System of a Down) - Plays a Gibson Thunderbird IV Bass
• Paul Stanley (Kiss) - used a Flying V, an Explorer, a Firebird and an L6-S.
• Sylvain Sylvain (New York Dolls) - used a Les Paul Standard.
• Bernard Sumner (Joy Division & New Order) - uses an SG.

[edit] T

• The Edge - has used an Explorer, an SG and a Les Paul.
• George Thorogood - uses an ES-125
• Johnny Thunders - used Les Paul Juniors.
• Pete Townshend (The Who/solo) - used an SG Special from 1968-1972 and various customized Les Paul models from 1973-1978. Also used an EDS-1275. Has consistently used SJ-200 acoustic guitars. Gibson now produces a Pete Townshend Signature Model.
• Greg Tribbett (Mudvayne) - uses a Flying V and a Les Paul
• Derek Trucks (The Allman Brothers Band/The Derek Trucks Band) - uses a Gibson SG
• Corin Tucker (Sleater-Kinney) - uses a Les Paul Special.

[edit] V

• Stoll Vaughan - uses a Hummingbird.

[edit] W

• Butch Walker - uses a Firebirds, a Les Paul and a Songbird acoustic.
• Geordie Walker (Killing Joke) - uses an ES-295. Hasalso used a Les Paul and an SG.
• Muddy Waters - used a Gibson Les Paul Goldtop in his early career.
• Johnny Winter - uses a Firebird. Has also used Les Pauls, SGs, and Flying V's.
• Jack White (The White Stripes) - uses an F-Style Mandolin, an L-1 Acoustic and a "John Lennon" Acoustic/Electric.
• John Wicks of (The Records) - uses a vintage 1957 Les Paul Junior and a vintage 1959 Les Paul Jr.
• Ron Wood (The Rolling Stones) - has a Signature J-200 acoustic. uses a black Les Paul Standard and a custom-built single-pickup L-5S.
• Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osborne/Black Label Society) - Plays his signature "Bull's Eye" Les Paul Custom, also plays Signature "Buzzsaw" Les Paul Custom
• Nick Wheeler - (The All-American Rejects) - uses a Firebird and occasionally a Flying V.
• Tim Wheeler - (Ash) - uses a yellow Flying V.

[edit] Y

• Angus Young (AC/DC) - uses an SG. Gibson produces an Angus Young Signature SG model.[2]
• Neil Young - uses several Gibson acoustic and electric models. Young's main guitar, "Old Black", is a 1953 Goldtop Les Paul(painted black) with a Bigsby tailpiece . Young also has 2 other 1953 Goldtops, one which has modifications similar to Old Black, the other a stock original. Also uses a J-200 and a Mastertone GB-3 banjo.[3]

[edit] Z

• Frank Zappa - used an SG, a Les Paul and an ES-5 Switchmaster. All guitars were usually modified by Zappa to include preamps and Fernandes sustainers.

[edit] References

[edit] See also

Gibson Guitar Corporation