Famous Guitars!

AC/DC

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:21:28 GMT

Angus Young Signature SG!

Angus Young and Gibson Guitar Corporation have collaborated to make the Angus Young Signature SG, which is special in several ways.[10]

The model features a pickup designed by Young himself (the Angus Young Signature Humbucker) in the bridge position, and a '57 Classic Humbucker in the neck. The headstock features Young's famous "devil schoolboy" engraved picture, and the tremolo bar features Angus's name instead of the Gibson logo. The guitar has a rosewood fretboard, trapezoid fret inlays, a signature black pickguard, 22 frets, antique cherry finish,[11] and nickel hardware. The volume and tone knobs are of the "tophat" style, the SG also sports the standard 3-way pickup selector switch. This signature model is unique in that Angus himself does not use his signature model either live or in the studio anymore, although when AC/DC was young he played the same model but without his signature touch. (devil schoolboy, engraved tremolo tailpiece, signature pickup.)

The second, recently released Angus Young SG, is available in two variants, both which are different from the first. The Gibson Custom Shop version is based on a 70's SG Standard, it features genuine pearl lightning bolt inlays instead of the standard plastic trapezoidal inlays. It has no Maestro Tremolo, and Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates Humbuckers (modified in the bridge position); it has 22 frets and an Aged Cherry finish. The fretboard is made from ebony and the most unusual feature compared to other SGs is that the very thin neck is constructed from maple. This model also for a limited time can be bought aged by Gibson USA and signed by Angus Young himself although the Gibson USA version cannot.

The lower cost Gibson USA variant is based on a 1960's SG Reissue, featuring a smaller pickguard. It too has lightning bolt inlays, though smaller and made from plastic, and '57 Classic in neck position and an Angus Young Signature Humbucker pickup in bridge position. It is available only in Ebony.

Zakk Wylde

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:16:30 GMT

Bullseye!

He is known for his use of Gibson Les Paul Custom model guitars with a "bulls-eye" graphic on them, a design he used to deliberately differentiate himself visually from Randy Rhoads - who was also frequently identified by his white Les Paul Custom. Interestingly, one of Wylde's favorite stage guitars of late is a replica of Rhoads' Flying V. The "bulls-eye" paint job was originally supposed to look like the spiral from the movie Vertigo, but when it came back incorrect from the luthier, he liked the result and stuck with it. He was somtimes criticized by viewers and media for taking the idea of the "bulls-eye" from Eddie Ojeda from Twisted Sister, however, both Eddie and Zakk deny it and rather it be just pure coinsidence.

Dimebag Darrell

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:13:03 GMT

Dime-O-Flame!

Several months before his death, Darrell ended his long relationship with Washburn, cutting short the Washburn custom shop production of 100 Southern Cross guitars. He became a Dean endorser once again, coinciding with founder Dean Zelinsky's return. Dean built him a brand new signature guitar—the Dime O' Flame, which he began using live.

Albert King

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:10:24 GMT

Lucy!

Suggested by Skontch 1!

King's first instrument was a diddley bow. Next, he built himself a cigar box guitar, before buying a Guild acoustic. The instrument he is usually associated with is a 1958 Gibson Flying V, "Lucy." He retired Lucy in 1974 and began using a Flying V built by Dan Erlewine, and after 1980 also one built by Radley Prokopow

Black Sabbath

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:01:03 GMT

Oldboy! Tony Iommi

Suggested by Madmasa!

Built in Birmingham by luthier John Diggins sometime between 1975 and 1978, the guitar was first used for overdubs on the 'Heaven and Hell' album and later became one of Iommi's main guitars. The guitar is equipped with a 24 fret neck with custom cross inlays, five control knobs (three of which are functional) and a highly distressed finish. He had two more built for him. One was made to the same specifications of his first Jaydee SG with a red finish. Another one was made and used during the Born Again era, which can be seen on the music videos for "Trashed" and "Zero the Hero." The differences are the finish, headstock, use of a stoptail brige, and use of rail humbuckers, as opposed to the 24-pole humbuckers on his two other versions.

Queen

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:10:30 GMT

Red Special! Brian May

Suggested by Wreckme666!

The Red Special is an electric guitar owned by Queen guitarist Brian May and custom-built by May and his father.[1] The Red Special is also sometimes named in reviews as the Fireplace or the Old Lady, both nicknames used by May when referring to the guitar.[2] May has used it on Queen albums and in live performances since the late 1960s. The name Red Special came from the reddish-brown colour the guitar attained after being stained and painted with numerous layers of Rustins' plastic coating. The name Fireplace is a reference to the fact that the wood used to make the neck came from a fireplace mantel.

B.B. King

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 18:52:47 GMT

Lucille!

One night in the 1950s, B.B. King was playing a dance hall in Twist, Arkansas. In those days it wasn’t uncommon to light a barrel of kerosene to keep the building warm. Unfortunately, that night a fight broke out between some rowdy locals and the barrel of kerosene was knocked over, causing a massive fire.

Once safely outside, B.B. realized that he had left his cherished guitar in the dance hall. He quickly ran into the blaze and grabbed his Gibson before the roof collapsed. Later, it was revealed that the men were fighting over a woman named Lucille. From that moment on B.B. christened all of his guitars “Lucille” to remind him never to fight over a woman.

Rolling Stones

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 18:59:12 GMT

Micawber! Keith Richards

Supposedly named after a character in Charles Dickens’ book David Copperfield, Micawber has been Keith’s main guitar since Exile on Main Street. Of course, when asked about the meaning behind the uncommon name, Keith coyly says: "There's no reason for my guitar being called Micawber, apart from the fact that it's such an unlikely name. When I scream for Micawber everyone knows what I'm talking about."

The 1952 butterscotch Fender Telecaster is kept in the Human Riff’s trademark open G tuning, so it’s always ready to tear through such classics as "Before They Make Me Run,” "Brown Sugar,” and "Honky Tonk Women.”

George Harrison

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:01:44 GMT

Lucy!

Dubbed “Lucy” in honor of red-headed comedian Lucille Ball, this cherry-hued ’57 Les Paul was given to George Harrison by Eric Clapton in 1968. As a favor to George, Clapton played the instrument during the recording of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”

In the ‘70s, the legendary guitar was stolen from Harrison’s home and ended up in the hands of a Mexican musician who purchased Lucy from a music shop in California before returning to his native country. However, Harrison was able to get his beloved guitar back by trading a ’58 Les Paul and a bass to the musician in exchange for Lucy, which he owned until his death in 2001.

Stevie Ray Vaughn

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:03:41 GMT

Lenny!

In 1980, Stevie Ray Vaughan came across this 1965 Fender Stratocaster in a pawn shop in Austin, Texas, and instantly fell in love with the vintage instrument. Unfortunately, back then he didn’t have the $350 asking price. However, Stevie’s wife, Lenora “Lenny” Vaughan, rounded up $50 from seven of their closest friends and bought the guitar for the Double Trouble front man’s 26th birthday. Overwhelmed with emotion, Vaughan stayed up late that night writing a song. The next morning, Lenora woke up to Stevie playing the newly penned instrumental, “Lenny” for her.

Willie Nelson

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:06:07 GMT

Trigger!

In 1969, Willie Nelson sent one of his banged-up guitars to a repair shop in Nashville. The owner told him he couldn’t fix it but he had a Martin for sale that he thought Willie might like. Nelson bought the N-20 for $750 over the phone, sight unseen. After its delivery, he immediately fell in love with the guitar, naming it “Trigger” after Roy Rodgers’ trusty horse.

Willie played the Martin so much over the years that he wore a large hole in the top. However, the country star came to appreciate the unique sound so much that he refused to have it repaired

Neil Young

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:07:34 GMT

Old Black!

Neil Young has owned this 1953 Gibson Les Paul since obtaining it from musician Jim Messina back in 1969.

Old Black, which got its name due to the fact that it began life as a goldtop but was later the recipient of an amateur black paint job, has been a headache for Young’s guitar tech, Larry Cragg. The old Gibson frequently goes out of tune and Young refuses to re-fret the fingerboard -- but when the stars align, Old Black can still produce one of the most distinct sounds in the music industry. “It's a demonic instrument. Old Black doesn't sound like any other guitar," Cragg once said.

ZZ Top

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:09:32 GMT

Miss Pearly Gates! Billy Gibbons

The ZZ Top guitarist is known for his big beard and an even bigger guitar collection. However, the ax that has always held a place in his heart is his coveted 1959 Les Paul.

As the story goes, ZZ Top gave their old 1930s Packard to a friend, Renee Thomas, to drive to L.A. for a movie audition. After landing the role, Renee and the band jokingly called the Packard “Pearly Gates” because they figured it must have had divine powers. Renee ended up selling the car and wiring the money to Gibbons on the very day he received a called about a ’59 Sunburst Les Paul that was found under the bed of a man who had recently passed away. The guitarist ended up loving the Gibson so much that he purchased it that day and dubbed it “Miss Pearly Gates.”

Van Halen

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:12:26 GMT

Frankenstrat! Eddie Van Halen

Musicians have long debated whether a Fender or Gibson deserves to be called the best guitar in the world. Van Halen front man Eddie Van Halen simply combined the two to create his legendary Frankenstrat guitar.

In the 1970s, Van Halen was able to buy the ash body for $50 because there was a large knot in the wood. He then found a maple neck for the guitar for $80, bringing the grand total of his prized ax to a whopping $130. Eddie then utilized everything at his disposal, including bicycle paint, masking tape and wax to give the Frankenstrat its unique look. The crafty guitarist even cut up an old vinyl record to serve as a pickguard.

Jimi Hendrix

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:16:41 GMT

Woodstock Strat!

In his short lifetime, Jimi Hendrix was able to singlehandedly change the sound of rock through his innovative guitar style and inexplicable raw talent. An intense performer, Hendrix was known to “sacrifice” his guitars by lighting them on fire. Fortunately, the 1968, the Stratocaster he played during his legendary rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner” at Woodstock was spared this fiery fate.

After Jimi’s death in 1970, the guitar was put into storage until it was sold at auction to Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen for $1.3 million.

Eric Clapton

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:18:53 GMT

Blackie!

In 1970, while visiting a music shop in Nashville, Clapton came across a rack of old Fenders. He ended up purchasing six of them at $100 apiece. Once he returned to England, he gifted three of the guitars to fellow rockers George Harrison, Pete Townshend, and Steve Winwood, and kept the rest for himself. Clapton decided to experiment by seeing if he could assemble a “Super Strat” out of the best parts from each vintage guitar. The end result was the legendary “Blackie” Stratocaster, named after the guitar’s black finish.

Slash

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:41:44 GMT

Les Paul!

Slash is best known for being the ex-guitarist for Guns 'N Roses. He later quit and formed his own band Slash's Snake Pit & then later, in 2009, he produced a solo album simply called 'Slash'. Now, what makes this guitar so legendary is that Slash played Appetite For Destruction's most famous songs on this guitar: Sweet Child O' Mine, Paradise City & Welcome To The Jungle!

Untitled Musical Project

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:47:12 GMT

From L-R: Pearl River D-7, Ibanez V-Series, Yamaha FG-412!

Little bit o' history! Pearl River was actually the very first guitar i bought in 2007 when my friend suggested that we should start our own school band. Even though it was of no success, i started learning it & got better! Then, when we went to Pakistan, i accidentally left my guitar back there when we came back to Oman! So, instead of waiting for one full year to go back again, i bought myself another guitar (Yamaha FG-412) so that i won't lose that magic touch! Anyways, i learned more on that guitar for like a year and then i bought myself another guitar: Yup, it was hello Ibanez V-Series Semi-Acoustic Guitar... Beautiful, don't you think? I mostly play on that guitar because the strings are tight as compared to the soft nylon strings of the other two!

Who knows one day these guitars (and me in general) might become famous!

Jimmy Page, here I come....