Gibson Guitars, the musicians who use them…Part 1 From A to M
Source: 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.
- 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.
- Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day) – Uses several vintage 1950’s Les Paul Junior models, SG’s, ES 335’s, 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.
- Carl Barât (Dirty Pretty Things) – uses a Les Paul Junior Double Cutaway.
- 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.
- Jeff Beck – used a Les Paul Standard while a member of The Yardbirds. A different Les Paul Standard, purchased from Rick Neilson, was used while with the Jeff Beck Group. And an “Oxblood” coloured 1954 Les Paul Standard, with PAF pickups, from 1972-1976.
- Chuck Berry – used an ES-350T early in his career later switching to ES-345s and ES-355s.
- Dickey Betts (The Allman Brothers Band) – uses a variety of Gibson models including a 1961 SG and a 1957 Les Paul.
- Ritchie Blackmore – played an ES-335 but switched to a Fender Stratocaster after seeing Jimi Hendrix playing one in concert. Well-known solo on Child in Time played with ES-335.
- Marc Bolan (T. Rex) – used Les Paul Customs and Flying Vs and a Hummingbird. His main Les Paul model was refinished in a translucent amber finish to resemble the Gibson guitars played by his idol Duane Eddy.
- Creed Bratton (The Grass Roots) – has used various Gibsons including recordings with a Black Beauty on early Grass Roots albums.
- Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown – has used various Gibsons including: ES-335s and L-5s. His main guitar was a late-60s non-reverse Firebird.
- Jack Bruce (Cream) – used several 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.
- Lindsey Buckingham – used a white Les Paul during his early years with Fleetwood Mac.
- Larry Carlton – uses a sunburst 1968 ES-335 along with occasional use of a 1956 Les Paul Special and a 1963 L5. A Larry Carlton Signature Model has been produced by Gibson for the man they call “Mr ES-335″.
- Manny Charlton (Nazareth) – used a Les Paul.
- Eric Clapton – used a Les Paul while with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. While with Cream, Clapton used a 1965 SG painted by Dutch artists collectively known as The Fool. Also, while with Cream, Clapton used a cherry 1964 ES-355,a Les Paul Black Beauty and a Firebird I. A 1958 Explorer 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 (Lynyrd Skynyrd) – 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.
- Rivers Cuomo (Weezer) – used a Les Paul Special for the majority of guitar work on early Weezer albums, and uses a Les Paul, an SG, a Flying V and an Explorer onstage in late 2001 and throughout parts of 2002.
- 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.
- Tom DeLonge (Angels and Airwaves, Blink 182) – has a Signature model ES-335.
- Buck Dharma (Blue Öyster Cult) – uses a 1974 Les Paul Deluxe and a 1969 SG.
- K.K. Downing (Judas Priest) – used a Flying V and an SG.
- Bob Dylan – uses a variety of Gibson models including: a J-50, a J-200, a J-180 and a J-45.
- Don Felder (Eagles) – uses a Les Paul and an EDS-1275.
- Robin Finck (Nine Inch Nails/Guns N’ Roses) – uses a variety of Les Paul models.
- John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival and a solo artist) – uses a variety of Les Paul models.
- Marc Ford (The Black Crowes) uses an SG and a Les Paul.
- 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.
- Lars Frederiksen (Rancid, Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards) – uses cherry sunburst SG Specials and a polaris white 1965 SG Special.
- Ace Frehley (Kiss) – used a 3 pickup Les Paul Custom as well as an Ace Frehley Signature Model[18] and a an EDS-1275. He also used a Les Paul Standard.
- John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers) – uses an SG, and has recently been seen live with a vintage black Les Paul Custom.
- 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.
- Simon Gallup (The Cure) – uses a Thunderbird IV bass.
- Jerry Garcia (Grateful Dead) – used a Les Paul Custom and an SG early in his career.
- Hank Garland (Nashville guitarist who worked with Elvis Presley among others) – used a “Byrdland” guitar
- Billy Gibbon 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”.
- David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) – known for playing Fender Stratocaster, but uses a 1956 Les Paul Goldtop with a Bigsby tailpiece on his solo albums and few Pink Floyd’s song, such as Fat Old Sun and Careful with That Axe, Eugene.
- Scott Gorham (Thin Lizzy) – used a Les Paul Standard and a Les Paul Deluxe with mini humbuckers.
- Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam) – has used several Les Pauls models.
- Barry Goudreau (Boston) – uses an SG
- Peter Green – 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) – uses many different Gibson models including: Explorers, SGs, ES-335s, Firebirds, and a 1970s Trini Lopez Standard.
- 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) 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, Les Paul Standard, an ES-335 and a non-reverse Firebird.
- Justin Hayward (The Moody Blues) – uses an ES-335.
- Jimi Hendrix (The Jimi Hendrix Experience) – while generally regarded as an iconic Stratocaster player, Jimi used several Gibson models including an SG and a Flying V. Gibson has released a replica model of his Flying V.
- James Hetfield (Metallica) – used a white Explorer and also a Les Paul Custom.
- Joshua Homme (Kyuss) – used a cream coloured SG and a Les Paul on the Blues for the Red Sun tour. Also used the SG on tour with the Screaming Trees.
- Steve Howe (Yes, Asia, GTR) – uses an ES-175. and the EDS-1275.
- James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins) – Used a black Les Paul Custom frequently, and occasionally used a Yellow SG.
- 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” a red SG nicknamed “monkey”, a red Gibson Custom Shop SG, a black Gibson Custom Shop SG and a black SG Standard Gibson has produced a Tony Iommi Signature SG. left-handed model,
- Daniel Johns (Silverchair) – has used a Firebird, an SG and a Les Paul.
- 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. A Robert Johnson Signature Model is also available.
- 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.
- Mick Jones (The Clash, Carbon/Silicon)) – used Les Paul, now mostly uses Les Paul Junior Double Cut
- Steve Jones (Sex Pistols) – Firebird, Les Paul.
- 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 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
- Ed King* (Lynyrd Skynyrd) – used SG’s as an alternate guitar to his Fender Strats while with Skynyrd.
- Freddie King* – used a Goldtop Les Paul with P-90 pickups. Also used an ES-355 in some live performances.
- Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits and solo) – uses original 1958 and 1959 Les Paul models. He also uses ES-335 and Super 400s.
- Erkin Koray – uses a 1961 Les Paul Custom.
- Paul Kossoff (Free) – “Kossoff was a passionate Les Paul player able to say in a few notes what many would dozens attempting.” 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.
- Lenny Kravitz – uses a Flying V, a Les Paul and a white SG Custom.
- Kirk Hammett – Played some song with black Les Paul especially for the song Fade to Black & Nothing Else Matters
- Albert Lee – uses a Les Paul Custom, a J-200 and Everly Brothers Model.
- 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 extensively while with the Beatles. Lennon also used a Les Paul Special and a modified Les Paul Junior.
- 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.
- Steve Lukather – owns many guitar models; has an original ‘59 Les Paul. Seen in many videos/interviews
- Bob Marley (Bob Marley and The Wailers) – used a Les Paul Custom. The guitar is buried with him in his mausoleum.
- Johnny Marr (The Smiths/solo) – Uses an SG.
- Jeff Martin (The Tea Party/solo) – uses a 1964 J-50, a Les Paul Classic 1960 reissue, an EDS-1275 and an Explorer.
- Dave Mason – used a Firebird throughout the 1970s, notably on his Certified Live album.
- Tak Matsumoto (B’z) – uses a Les Paul and has had 4 separate Les Paul Signature Models.
- Brian May (Queen)- used a Flying V.
- John Mayer- uses a Les Paul Double Cut and a ES-345
- Paul McCartney – owns a rare left-handed 1957 Les Paul Goldtop Like many players, McCartney has replaced the fragile original tuning machines with a more modern sturdy set. and uses a left handed 1960 Les Paul Standard as his main stage guitar. McCartney also uses a C-5 in the studio.
- Mike McCready (Pearl Jam) – uses a Les Paul, an SG, an ES-335 and a Flying V.
- Jimmy McCulloch (Wings) – used an SG,a Les Paul and EDS 1275 on the “Band on the run tour”
- 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.
- Pat Metheny – uses a humbucker-equipped ES-175, both live and on many of his mainstream jazz recordings. Has used a Les Paul on occasion, notably on Zero Tolerance for Silence.
- 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 Les Paul Standard once owned by Peter Green. 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) – While with Presley, Moore initially played an ES-295, before switching to an L5 and subsequently a Super 400.
- Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine/Audioslave) – Uses a number of new Les Paul standards. The latest album “Revelations” was recorded with a Les Paul emblazened with the Budwieser logo, which Morello removed with lighter fluid and wire wool while on Audioslave’s 2005 tour. Fitted with DiMarzio pickups, this has now become his main guitar. Also uses a EDS-1275 in live performances of the goast of Tom Joad while with Rage against the machine
Visit again soon……Part 2 will posted from N to Z
