List of Gibson players

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an alphabetized list of musicians who have made notable use of Gibson Guitar models in live performances or studio recordings. Because of the great popularity of these models, musicians are listed here only if their use of these instruments was especially significant — that is, they are musicians with long careers who have a history of faithful Gibson use, or the particular instrument they used was unique or of historical importance, or their use of the Gibson model contributed significantly to the popularization of that particular instrument.

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

• Johnny A uses a Johnny A Signature model designed specifically for him by Gibson to the guitarist's personal specifications.^[1]
• Duane Allman (The Allman Brothers Band) used a 1957 Les Paul Goldtop with PAF pickups, a 1959 cherry sunburst Les Paul, a 1958 tobacco sunburst Les Paul and a 1968 cherry SG. A Les Paul was also his primary guitar when using a slide.^[2]
• Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day) uses several vintage 1950s single and double cutaway Les Paul Junior models, SGs, ES 335s, and a J-45. He also used a Les Paul Standard for recording the lead guitar parts on the album American Idiot. Gibson has produced a Billie Joe Armstrong Signature Les Paul Junior model.^[3]
• Chet Atkins switched from Gretsch to Gibson in the mid 1980s and brought with him the popular Country Gentleman and Tennessean model designs. Atkins also helped to design several innovative acoustic/electric models including the SST, the CE, and the CEC. Since his death, Gibson has discontinued all Chet Atkins models and Gretsch has resumed the manufacturing and distribution of the Chet Atkins line.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] B

• 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.^[4]
• Jeff Beck (The Yardbirds/solo) purchased his first Les Paul, a 1959 model, for £150 while still a member of The Yardbirds. Beck's fascination with the guitar sprang as much from his interest in Les Paul, the man, as from his love of the guitar itself. Beck told an interviewer: "It had a deep powerful sound and you could use it to imitate just about anything - violin, sax, cello, even a sitar."^[5] Beck also used an "oxblood" coloured 1954 Les Paul Standard, with PAF pickups, from 1972-1976 and is pictured with the guitar on the cover artwork of his Blow by Blow album.

• Chuck Berry used an ES-350T early in his career, later switching to ES-345s and ES-355s.^[6]
• Dickey Betts (The Allman Brothers Band) uses a variety of Gibson models including a 1961 SG and a 1957 Les Paul.
• Marc Bolan (T.Rex) used Les Paul Standards, Customs and Flying Vs and a Japanese Hummingbird copy. His main Les Paul model was refinished in an opaque orange to resemble the Gretsch guitars played by his hero Eddie Cochran.^[7]
• Mick Box (Uriah Heep) uses a Les Paul Custom. Also used a 1958 double-cutaway Les Paul Junior, a Flying V and a 1968 SG with a Maestro tailpiece.
• Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown used various Gibsons including ES-335s and L5s. His main guitar was a late-60s non-reverse Firebird.
• Jack Bruce (Cream/solo) used several EB-3 basses during the late 1960s and early 1970s; during the 2005 Cream reunion concerts he used a 1950s EB bass.
• Buckethead (real name: Brian Carroll) uses a Les Paul custom made by Gibson, baritone neck, bigger than normal chambered body, all white hardware, killswitch, DiMarzio Tone Zone in the neck and DiMarzio Air Norton in the bridge position.
• Sam Bush a highly respected mandolin player, Bush has been a mainstay on the Bluegrass circuit for over 35 years. Gibson produces a Sam Bush Signature model mandolin.

[edit] C

• Larry Carlton favours a sunburst 1968 ES-335, also occasionally using a 1956 Les Paul Special and a 1963 L5.^[8] A Larry Carlton Signature model has been produced by Gibson for the man they call "Mr ES-335".^[9]

• Charlie Christian used an ES-150. The model was Gibson's first archtop electric guitar and was, as described by author Tony Bacon, "used with devastating effect by Christian throughout his short career." The "blade" style pickup installed on early ES-150 models has since become known as the "Charlie Christian pickup" in honor of the legendary jazzman.^[10]
• John Cipollina (Quicksilver Messenger Service) used two heavily customized SGs with bat-shaped plastic embellishments cut from pickguard material, extensive bindings, older Les Paul pickups (with the neck pickup mounted in reverse), and mercury dimes glued to the tops of the volume and tone controls. He also added Bigsby B5 vibrato assemblies to both guitars.
• Eric Clapton has used a variety of Gibsons throughout his career. The second electric guitar Clapton owned was a red 1964 ES-335 that he used with The Yardbirds, Cream, Blind Faith and as a solo artist.^[11] In 2004 Clapton donated the guitar to an auction to benefit the Crossroads Centre, where it sold for $750,000 – a world-record auction price for a Gibson.^[12] In 1966 Clapton bought a 1960 sunburst Les Paul that he used while a member of John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers and Cream.^[13] This was the first of several 1958-60 Les Pauls that Clapton has used, contributing significantly to these models' popularity.^[14] In 1967 Clapton acquired a 1964 SG painted by the Dutch artists collectively known as The Fool; he used this guitar on the Cream albums Disraeli Gears and Wheels of Fire.^[15] Other models Clapton has used extensively include a Firebird I and a 1958 Explorer that he used on his 461 Ocean Boulevard ^[16] and EC Was Here albums.
• Dennis Coffey (veteran Motown session guitarist) owns several vintage Gibson models, including an ES-335, an ES-345 and a Byrdland. Coffey, who appeared on virtually every Motown recording in the 1960s and 1970s, also played a Firebird that he purchased used in 1964.^[17]
• Allen Collins (Lynyrd Skynyrd) used a Firebird, and later switched to an Explorer. Starting in late 1977, he also occasionally used a double-cutaway Les Paul Junior.
• 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.^[18]

[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.^[19]
• Buck Dharma (Blue Öyster Cult) uses a 1974 Les Paul Deluxe and a 1969 SG.
• Bob Dylan uses a variety of Gibson models, including a J-50, a J-200, a J-180 and a J-45.

[edit] E

• Duane Eddy - "The King of Twang Guitar" - has used many different Gibson models throughout his career. Gibson produces a Duane Eddy Signature model.^[20]
• Elliot Easton (The Cars) used several Gibson SG models and a Les Paul Custom in the "Since You're Gone" video. Gibson currently produces an Elliot Easton signature model SG as part of their "Inspired By" series manufactured by the Gibson Custom Shop
• The Edge (U2) uses several Gibson models including a 1976 Gibson Explorer Limited Edition,^[21] a Les Paul Custom, a 1983 30th Anniversary Goldtop, an ES-335, an SG and a J-200.
• John Entwistle (The Who) used several Thunderbird IV basses during the early 1970s and later used custom-made "Fenderbird" models with Fender Precision Bass necks. Entwistle also used an EB-2 bass during the early days of The Who.
• Thomas Erak (The Fall of Troy) uses only Gibson guitars. He has an extensive collection of Gibson guitars.
• The Everly Brothers favoured J-200s in the 1950s; in the 1960s they used the Everly Brothers model, featuring a J-185-style body and an adjustable bridge, which Gibson produced from 1962 to 1972.

[edit] F

• Don Felder (Eagles) uses a Les Paul and an EDS-1275.
• John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival and a solo artist)uses a variety of Les Paul models.
• Peter Frampton (Humble Pie and a solo artist) uses a 3 pickup Les Paul Custom. Gibson has produced 2 completely different Signature models for him.
• Ace Frehley (Kiss) used a 3 pickup Les Paul Custom as well as an Ace Frehley Signature model^[22] and an EDS-1275.^[23] He also used a Les Paul Standard.

[edit] G

• Noel Gallagher (Oasis) often uses a Les Paul or an ES 345, 355 and a Trini Lopez
• Hank Garland (Nashville guitarist who worked with Elvis Presley among others) used a Byrdland guitar.

• Jerry Garcia (Grateful Dead) often used a red SG during studio recordings.
• 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". "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."^[24][25]
• David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) is known as a Fender Stratocaster player, but used a 1956 Les Paul Goldtop with a Bigsby tailpiece on his solo albums and some later Pink Floyd work, including The Wall tour of 1980-81.
• Freddie Green (rhythm guitarist with the Count Basie Orchestra) - known as "Mr. Clock", Green played a blonde L5.
• Grant Green Influential jazz guitarist who recorded more dates with the Blue Note record label in the early to mid-1960s than any other musician, both as a leader and as a sideman. He used a Gibson ES-330 during this period.^[26]
• Peter Green is most notable for his 1959 Les Paul that had the pick-ups accidentally wired out of phase. The guitar used to be owned by Gary Moore, but it was sold to a private owner in 2006.
• Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters, Nirvana) uses many different Gibson models including: Les Pauls, Flying Vs, Explorers, SGs, ES-335s, Firebirds, and a 1970s Trini Lopez Standard. He also has his own Gibson model, modeled after the Trini Lopez Standard.
• Arlo Guthrie uses a 3/4 sized LG-2. Gibson currently produces an Arlo Guthrie Signature model.
• Woody Guthrie used a Southern Jumbo. Gibson has replicated his 1945 model including his famous "this machine kills fascists" sign.

[edit] H

• Steve Hackett (Genesis, GTR) uses numerous Les Paul models. His main guitar for many years was a 1957 Goldtop. He had other Les Paul models fitted with a Fernandes Sustainer.
• Kirk Hammett (Metallica) used a black Flying V and a variety of Les Paul models.^[27]
• Emmylou Harris uses a Dove, various J-200s and a J-200 Western Classic.
• George Harrison used a Les Paul, an SG, a J-160E and a J-200.^[28]
• Warren Haynes (Gov't Mule) uses a Les Paul Custom, Les Paul Standard, an ES-335 and a non-reverse Firebird. Gibson produces an "inspired by" version of Haynes' main Les Paul.
• Justin Hayward (The Moody Blues) has used an ES-335 for his entire career.
• Jimi Hendrix (The Jimi Hendrix Experience) is generally regarded as an iconic Stratocaster player, but Hendrix used several Gibson models including an SG Custom, Flying V, Les Paul Special and a Les Paul Custom. Gibson also gave him two guitars in 1970, a custom Flying V and an ES-345 (both left-handed models). Gibson has released an "inspired by" Flying V replicating his 1967 Flying V including the psychedelic floral design which Hendrix himself had hand painted on the original.^[29]
• James Hetfield (Metallica) used a white Explorer and also a Les Paul Custom.^[27]
• Steve Howe (Yes, Asia, GTR) favours an ES-175, and has also used an EDS-1275.^[30] In 2002 Gibson introduced the Steve Howe Signature ES-175.^[31]

[edit] I

• Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath) has used an SG throughout most of his career, and also owns other Gibson models. Currently his collection includes a rare "Barney Kessel" left-handed model,^[32] a red SG nicknamed "monkey",^[33] a red Custom Shop SG,^[34] a black Custom Shop SG^[35] and a black SG Standard.^[36] Gibson has produced a Tony Iommi Signature SG.^[37]

[edit] J

• Matthias Jabs (Scorpions) uses over 20 different Explorers including 7 Korina models and several Explorer 90s. A prototype signature model was produced for him by Gibson which was 90% the size of a regular Explorer. Jabs also owns several Les Pauls as well as a Moderne.^{[citation needed]}
• Eric Johnson used an ES-335 for the recorded version of "Cliffs of Dover". Also uses the ES-335 during live performances.
• Robert Johnson used an L-1 acoustic.^[38] Gibson makes a Robert Johnson Signature model.
• Brian Jones (The Rolling Stones) used an ES-330, reverse and non-reverse Firebirds^[39] and a Les Paul Goldtop.^[40]
• Mick Jones (The Clash/Big Audio Dynamite/ Carbon/Silicon) used a Les Paul Junior, Les Paul Standard, several Les Paul Customs, and a Melody maker during his tenure with The Clash. He currently uses Les Paul Junior Double Cut.
• Steve Jones (Sex Pistols) uses a Les Paul Custom. Gibson produces an "Inspired by" series of Jones' Les Paul model.

[edit] K

• Arthur "Killer" Kane (The New York Dolls} used a Thunderbird bass during the New York Dolls reunion concert at the 2004 Meltdown festival.
• Albert King was a left-handed "upside-down/backwards" guitarist: he usually played a Flying V flipped over upside-down so the low E string was on the bottom.^[41]
• B. B. King has used many different Gibson models, including an ES-5 and an ES-175 early in his career; later he began using thinline semi-acoustic models such as an ES-330, ES-335 and ES-345. King's Signature ES-355, nicknamed Lucille, has been his main guitar for many years.^[42]
• Freddie King* used a Goldtop Les Paul with P-90 pickups. Also used an ES-355 in some live performances.^[43]
• Paul Kossoff (Free) "was a passionate Les Paul player able to say in a few notes what many would dozens attempting."^[44] Kossoff used several late-50s Les Paul models as well as an ES-335 for occasional studio use.
• Robby Krieger (The Doors) uses an SG, an ES-335 and a Melody Maker.

[edit] L

• Albert Lee owns a black 1958 Les Paul Custom given to him by Eric Clapton, a black 1958 J-200 given to him by Don Everly^[45] and an Everly Brothers model. Lee played the J-200 during the Concert For George. The guitars are usually kept under lock and key.
• Alvin Lee (Ten Years After) used a customized ES-335 nicknamed "Big Red". The Gibson Custom shop now produces a reissue of Lee's guitar.
• John Lennon used a J-160E while with The Beatles. As a solo artist, Lennon used a Les Paul Special and a modified Les Paul Junior.^[46][47] Gibson makes a limited-edition replica of his J-160E^[48] and an "inspired by" John Lennon Les Paul replicating the modified Junior.^[49]
• 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. Gibson now has issued an "Inspired By series" of Lifeson's original white 355^[50][51]

[edit] M

• Lonnie Mack used a 1958 Flying V. In the mid-1990s Gibson issued a limited-edition "Lonnie Mack" model of the guitar.
• Bob Marley (Bob Marley and The Wailers) used a Les Paul Custom. The guitar is buried with him in his mausoleum.
• Jeff Martin (The Tea Party/solo) uses a 1964 J-50, a Les Paul Classic 1960 reissue, an EDS-1275 and an Explorer.
• Pat Martino uses a Pat Martino Signature model.^[52]. He formerly used an L5S.
• Paul McCartney owns a rare left-handed 1957 Les Paul Goldtop^[53] Like many players, McCartney has replaced the fragile original tuning machines with a more modern sturdy set.^[54] McCartney uses a left-handed 1960 Les Paul Standard (1 of 3 known examples) as his main stage guitar.^[55][56] McCartney also uses a C-5 in the studio.
• John McLaughlin has used many different Gibson models over the years, including Les Pauls, an EDS-1275, ES-335s, Byrdlands, a sunburst dual-pickup Johnny Smith model, an ES-345 and Hummingbird acoustics.
• Ralph McTell uses a J-45.

• Pat Metheny uses a humbucker-equipped ES-175, both live and on many of his mainstream jazz recordings. Metheny has also used a Les Paul on occasion, notably on Zero Tolerance for Silence.
• Bill Monroe used a Gibson F5 Mandolin.
• Gary Moore (Thin Lizzy/Skid Row/solo) uses a Les Paul Standard. Previously had a Les Paul signature model. Regularly uses a 1959 Les Paul Standard once owned by Peter Green.^[57] Also used a white Explorer in the 2003 DVD release "Gary Moore: Live at Monsters of Rock".
• Scotty Moore (Elvis Presley's original lead guitarist) initially played an ES-295, before switching to an L5 CES and subsequently a Super 400 CES.^[58] In 1999 Gibson reissued the ES-295 as the Scotty Moore Signature model.^[59]
• Wes Montgomery used an ES-175 early in his career as well as an L5 CES.^[60] Gibson currently produces a Wes Montgomery Signature model L5 CES.

[edit] N

• Jimmy Nolen (The J.B.'s) used various Gibson models.^[61]
• Ted Nugent is most closely associated with early 1960's Byrdland models in black, sunburst and natural. More recently, he has occasionally used a '59 sunburst Les Paul and an American-flag-motif Les Paul. Gibson has developed a Ted Nugent Signature Byrdland model.

[edit] O

• Mike Oldfield used an L6S around 1978, various Les Paul models and an SG Junior, which featured on many of his albums in the seventies and eighties.^[62]
• Roy Orbison used an ES-335 and 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),^[63] a 1973 Les Paul Standard, an EDS-1275, a 1977 RD Artist, an ES5 Switchmaster, a Goldtop Premium Les Paul and a 1991 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 and a 3-pickup configuration, a gift from Keith Richards.^[64] This guitar was stolen in 1970 and never recovered.^[65] For acoustics Page used a Hummingbird, a J-200 and an A-2 mandolin. Gibson has released a Jimmy Page Signature model Les Paul replicating the features of "Number 2".^[66][67][68]
• Joe Pass used a sunburst ES-175; Epiphone currently produces a Joe Pass signature Emperor model.
• Les Paul helped design the guitar named after him, and uses a custom model.^[69]
• Joe Perry (Aerosmith) has used many Gibson models over the years, including ES-335s, Les Pauls, Flying Vs, and Firebirds; has signature Gibson^[70]and Epiphone Les Paul models nicknamed "Boneyard".^[71]
• Carl Perkins - "the King of Rockabilly" - used, at various points in his career, a Les Paul Goldtop, an L5 and an SG.
• Andy Powell (Wishbone Ash) used a Flying V throughout his career. Powell also occasionally used an SG while touring.
• John Prine uses a J-200.

[edit] Q

[edit] R

• Mick Ralphs (Bad Company/Mott the Hoople) used a Les Paul Junior, a Firebird and a Les Paul during his Mott the Hoople tenure; and a Les Paul Standard and a Flying V during his years with Bad Company. Ralphs currently uses Les Paul Custom Shop '58 & '59 Re-issue models.
• Randy Rhoads (Quiet Riot/Ozzy Osbourne) used a white Les Paul Custom.
• Keith Richards (The Rolling Stones) has used a variety of Gibsons throughout his career; he's favoured Les Pauls and ES models, but has also occasionally been seen with assorted other models, including Firebirds, a Flying V, an SG, an L6S and a Melody Maker. In 1964 Richards got a 1959 sunburst Les Paul with a Bigsby tailpiece;^[72] the guitar was the first "star-owned" Les Paul in Britain and served as one of Richards' main instruments through 1966.^[13][73] He later sold the guitar to future Rolling Stones bandmate Mick Taylor.^[74] In the mid-60s Richards acquired a 1953 Les Paul Goldtop^[75] and the first of a series of 1957 Les Paul Customs.^[76] One of the latter, hand-painted with psychedelic patterns, would be one of his main stage and studio guitars from 1968 through the end of the Rolling Stones' 1970 European tour.^[77] Throughout the 1970s he continued to use various Gibson models on stage and in music videos. Among these were a second 1959 sunburst Les Paul, a 1954 Les Paul Custom "Black Beauty"^[78] and a cherry red 1958 Les Paul Junior,^[79] which he replaced in 1979 with a 1959 TV-yellow Les Paul Junior that he has used regularly on stage ever since. Since 1997 an ebony ES-355 has been among his favourite stage guitars, along with a white ES-345 that he unveiled in 2006.^[80][81] In rehearsal and studio photos and footage he's frequently seen with an ES-350 and ES-175D.^[82][83][84] Hummingbirds have been among his preferred acoustic models since 1965.
• Howard Roberts - used several Gibson models over the course of his career including: an ES-175, an L-10^[85] and a heavily modified ES-150 simply known as "The Black Guitar".^[86] Gibson produces a Howard Roberts Fusion III signature model, which is a variation of an ES-165.
• Brian Robertson (Thin Lizzy/Motörhead) has used a Les Paul throughout his career.
• Rich Robinson (The Black Crowes) uses several different Gibson models, including a 1968 Les Paul Goldtop, a 1964 ES-335, a Customshop Flametop Les Paul and a Dove.^[87]
• Mick Ronson (David Bowie) used a Les Paul Custom with the finish stripped for his guitar work on Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane, among others.
• Gary Rossington (Lynyrd Skynyrd) uses Les Pauls and SGs. Previously had a signature model Les Paul and SG released by Gibson.

[edit] S

• Carlos Santana used an SG onstage at Woodstock and appeared in advertisements for the L-6S in the 1970s.^[88] Santana has also used a sunburst Les Paul Custom.
• Michael Schenker (Scorpions/UFO/Michael Schenker Group) used four different 1970s Flying V models. Number 1 was a modified 1975 model; Numbers 2 and 3 were 1979 block-inlay Flying Vs; and Number 4 was a mid-70s 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 three 1958 original Flying Vs, three 1967-1969 Flying Vs, two 1971 Medallions (one was repainted black & white), a 1975 natural-finish Flying V, three 1983 replicas of the 1958 originals, four 1980 models and two 1984 Rudolf Schenker Signature models. Schenker has over 70 vintage and collectible Flying Vs along with several Custom Shop limited editions including a doubleneck Flying V.^[89]

• Tom Scholz (Boston) uses a 1968 Les Paul Goldtop with a DiMarzio SuperDistorion pickup in the bridge.
• Neal Schon (Journey) uses a heavily modified Les Paul, including a Floyd Rose locking tremolo, custom electronics and sustainer unit. Gibson produces a signature model of Schon's guitar.
• Gene Simmons (Kiss) used a G3 and a Ripper bass (as seen on the cover of Kiss Alive!). In "Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park", the robot Gene played a black Thunderbird bass.
• Earl Scruggs (one of the original Bill Monroe Blue Grass Boys) is noted for inventing a unique banjo style (now referred to as Scruggs style) that has become one of the defining characteristics of bluegrass music. An inductee into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Bluegrass Hall of Honor, Gibson produces a signature model banjo, simply titled "The Earl", to honor Scruggs' monumental career achievements.^[90]
• Nikki Sixx (Mötley Crüe) has used a number of Thunderbird basses throughout his career. Between 2000 and 2003 Gibson manufactured a Sixx signature bass, the 'Blackbird'.^[91]
• Slash (Guns N' Roses/Slash's Snakepit/Velvet Revolver/Slash's Blues Ball) uses many different Les Paul models including his own custom shop Les Paul model. He has also used an EDS-1275.In addition to his custom shop Les Paul,Gibson has manufactured two other Slash Les Pauls.There is also an Epiphone Slash Les Paul available for a cheaper price.^[92]
• Johnny Smith was a Gibson endorsee from 1961 to 1989, during which time Gibson sold the Johnny Smith model.^[93] Smith switched to Heritage in 1989. Gibson continues to produce the design as the LeGrande.
• Bill Spooner (The Tubes) used a Flying V, an Explorer, a Les Paul, an SG and a 1957 Melody Maker.
• Paul Stanley (Kiss) used a Flying V, an Explorer, a Firebird, an SG, and an L6S.
• Stompin' Tom Connors used an SJ-200 (purchased from a furniture store for $80) from 1956 to 1972, and still owns to this day.^[94]
• Hubert Sumlin used a 1956 Les Paul Goldtop for many years. He currently uses various Les Pauls and ES-335s.^[95]
• John Sykes (Thin Lizzy/Whitesnake/Blue Murder) uses a 1978 Les Paul Custom. Gibson has released a Custom Shop version of this guitar.

[edit] T

• Mick Taylor (The Rolling Stones/solo) has used Les Pauls throughout his career, along with SGs, ES models and Firebirds. Taylor got his first Les Paul from Selmer's in London in 1965, when he was playing with The Gods.^{[citation needed]} In 1967 he bought Keith Richards' 1959 sunburst Les Paul, which he used on stage until 1971, first with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers and then (from July 1969) with The Rolling Stones.^[74] Taylor used other sunburst Les Pauls on the Rolling Stones' 1972-73 tours, and still frequently uses Les Pauls on stage.
• Rosetta Tharpe used 1961 double-cutaway Les Paul Custom.
• George Thorogood uses an ES-125.
• Johnny Thunders used Les Paul Juniors.^[96]
• Pete Townshend (The Who/solo) used an SG Special from 1967-1972 and various customized Les Paul models from 1973-1979; he has also used an EDS-1275. Gibson produced a Townshend Signature model SG based on the guitar he played on at Woodstock in 1969. It was a limited edition and discontinued in 2003.^[97] In 2006 the Gibson Custom Shop started production of three different Les Paul signature models^[98] based on the guitars he played in the late 1970s. For acoustic work Townshend has consistently used SJ-200s.
• Derek Trucks (The Allman Brothers Band/The Derek Trucks Band) uses a 1961 SG Reissue.

[edit] U

[edit] V

• Eddie Van Halen has used a Les Paul, an ES-335 and a 1958 Flying V.^[99]

[edit] W

• Joe Walsh (Eagles) uses a Les Paul Standard and an EDS-1275.
• Muddy Waters used a Les Paul Goldtop in his early career.^[100]
• Leslie West (Mountain) favoured a Les Paul Junior; demand for this model greatly increased after guitarists saw one in his hands,^[101] and Gibson began to reissue the model in the mid 1970s. West also used an SG and a Flying V.
• Snowy White uses a 1957 Les Paul Goldtop acquired in a trade for a Fender Stratocaster while in Sweden in 1968. White has been nicknamed "Gold Top" due to his long time use of the model.^[102]
• Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson (Canned Heat) used a Les Paul.
• Carl Wilson (The Beach Boys) used an ES-335. Custom made in 1962, it has blonde finish and gold hardware with a Bigsby B-7 tremolo. In 1983 the original guitar neck was broken and replaced with a neck from an ES-355.
• Johnny Winter - uses a Firebird, along with Les Pauls, SGs and Flying Vs.
• Ron Wood (The Faces/The Rolling Stones) regularly uses Firebirds, Les Pauls and a J-200 acoustic on stage;^[103][81] he also owns a custom-built single-pickup L5S,^[104] a Super 400 CES and an L5.^[84] In the late 1970s Wood endorsed the S-1 guitar.^[104] In 1997 Gibson announced three Ron Wood signature models: a J-200, a Firebird and a Dobro.^[105]
• Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osborne/Black Label Society) uses a signature Les Paul "Bulls Eye" model, a signature Les Paul "Buzzsaw" model and signature "Camo" model with a camouflage finish. He is seen using a black EDS-1275 in the promotional video for In This River. Lately he has been using a custom SG/Flying V "Bulls Eye" model for live Ozzy Osbourne shows. Wylde also has a new Custom Shop Flying V "Bulls Eye" that is currently in production complete with a Floyd Rose tremolo.

[edit] X

[edit] Y

• Thom Yorke (Radiohead) occasionally uses a Gibson SG or an ES-150.
• Angus Young (AC/DC) uses an SG.^[106] Gibson has produced an Angus Young Signature SG model.^[107]
• 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 two 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; on the Time Fades Away tour he used a 1958 Flying V. [1]

[edit] Z

• Frank Zappa used an SG, a Les Paul Custom and an ES-5 Switchmaster. Zappa usually heavily modified his guitars to include preamps, balanced outputs for studio work, and later, Fernandes sustainers.^[108]

[edit] See also

• Gibson Guitar Corporation
• Gibson Guitar Corporation product list

[edit] References