gary rossington equip history

LYNYRDSKYNYRDEQUIPMENT LISTS

ALL GUITARS, AMPS, EFFECTS, PIANOS, DRUMS, ECT…USED BY :

Gary RossingtonDuring his tenure with these bands:

LYNYRD SKYNYRD (1969-1979)

ROSSINGTON COLLINS BAND (1979-1982)

ROSSINGTON BAND (1985-1989)

LYNYRD SKYNYRD TRIBUTE TOUR (1987-1990)

LYNYRD SKYNYRD (1991-TODAY)

WRITTEN AND COMPILEDBY:

SEAN McMAHON

Many thanks are owed to Roadie Joe Barnes, Ed King, various members of the EK board, Lynyrd Skynyrd Dixie, the Outlaws Official message board, and the various videos, photographs, and interviews that I have found have all helped me to fill out this list to this extent. And to the old “Official Lynyrd Skynyrd Message Board” which got the ball rolling.

The Late 60’S - Early 70’s----------Guitars----------

Sears SilvertoneGary’s first electric guitarSpeaker built-in to guitar body

1960’s Gibson Les Paul SpecialTV Yellow finish w/ black pickguardSingle cutaway model

N.B. – all of Gary’s LP’s are single cutaway unless explicitly mentioned.P-90 pickups w/ black soapbar covers (neck and bridge)Bound neck w/ dot inlays

1960’s Gibson Les Paul (Gold Top)This is the Gold-Top that was owned by Allen. It became Gary’s main guitar until it was stolen in 1973.

1969 Gibson SGSerial # - 540186Cherry Red finish w/ black pickguardBound neck w/ trapezoidal inlaysStock Gibson humbuckers (neck and bridge)Nickel hardwareABR-1 bridgeLyre non-vibrato tailpiece4 control knobs – 2 volume, 2 toneNotes:

This guitar was made at the Kalamazoo Plant, USA

----------Amps----------Vibrolux ReverbVox Super Beatles

PRONOUNCED “LEH-NERD SKIN-NERD”----------Guitars----------

1969 Gibson Les Paul Gold Top1969 Gibson SG1960’s Gibson Les Paul Standard (Berniece)

Serial # - 90605Sunburst finish with slight flameCream pick guard

During 1975 and ‘76, it was seen many times w/o pick guard. It was put back on permanently by the Fox Theater shows.

Bound neck w/ trapezoidal inlaysDuring the Street Survivors recording sessions, Gary left it on a stand in stead of the case. When he came back in the next day and picked it up, the head stock came off, right behind the nut. Roadie Craig Reed glued it back together and added a couple of screws and it played like new.

Nickel hardwareStock Gibson humbuckers (neck and bridge)Additional strap button added to back of the guitar at the base of the neckNotes:

Manufactured at Gibson’s Kalamazoo plantBought from George Gruhn’s shop in Nashville in 1973

----------Amps----------1973 Marshall Super Tremolo

100 WattsCelestion speakers (stock)Replaced w/ JBL D120’s in mid 1974 and a porthole was addedSerial # - either 5514E or 5268ENotes:

By 1976, this was used as a backup in case the Peaveys failedFender Twin

Cabs recovered w/ Black tolexGrills recovered w/ red and black grill cloth (picked by RVZ)Were recovered due to poor exterior condition

----------Effects----------Univibe Phase pedal

Used in the early days for “Breeze”5-inch-long capo-wire

Used only on songs that requires a slide. Gary says he only uses it for sentimental reasons.In the early days, Gary used a screwdriver to heighten the action of the strings

Coricidin Medicine BottleUsed as a slide

SECOND HELPING----------Guitars----------

1969 Gibson SG1960’s Gibson Les Paul Standard (Berniece)1972 Gibson SG Deluxe

Cherry Red finish w/ black pick guard and instrument panelBlock inlays on neckBlack P-90’s w/ soapbar cover

These were later changed out to standard LP pickupsFitted with a Bigsby Vibrato systemNotes:

Seen in pictures of Skynyrd opening for Marshall Tucker in 1974. Gary could’ve been using this while his other SG was being serviced.This guitar now resides in the Hard Rock Café’s collection

----------Amps----------1973 Marshall Super TremoloFender Twin

----------Effects----------Univibe Phase pedal5-inch-long capo-wireCoricidin Medicine Bottle

NUTHIN FANCY----------Guitars----------

1960’s Gibson SG1960’s Gibson Les Paul Standard (Berniece)

----------Amps----------1973 Marshall Super TremoloFender TwinHiwatt Amp Head

100 wattsNotes:

It looks like Gary started using this head in late 1974, replacing the Marshall HeadUsed in conjunction with the PV Mace 320T combo, and a 2x12 Peavey cabinet starting in 1975He stopped using this probably mid-1976, when he switched to using the Mace Heads

----------Effects----------Univibe Phase pedal5-inch-long capo-wireCoricidin Medicine Bottle

----------Picks----------Mel Bay Bullseye Picks

Green, plastic picks w/ bullseye design on one sideUsed since at least 1975

GIMME BACK MY BULLETS----------Guitars----------

1969 Gibson SG1960’s Gibson Les Paul Standard (Berniece)1950’s Gibson Les Paul Special

Sunburst finish w/out pick guardTrapezoidal inlaysBound neck w/ rosewood fretboardOpen Coil pickups (neck and bridge)

----------Amps----------Hiwatt Amp HeadPeavey Mace 320T Combo (2x)

160 Watt OutputSerial #’s – 5A 11073, 5A 11070Used 6L6-type tubes in the power sectionNotes

This was the first version used by the bandUsed in conjunction with the 4x12 cabinets (see below entry)Effects include reverb and tremolo

Modifications:Rewired to fit specs closer to a MarshallExterior recovered with tweed4”porthole in back of cabs (to improve tone)JBL E-120 Speakers installed (2x each)The speakers in the combo amp were never actually used, the band mainly relied on the speakers in the cabinets.

Peavey 412S Straight Speaker Cabinet (2x)460 watt outputExterior recovered w/ tweed4x12 cabinetSerial #’s – 5E 106901, 5E 106902JBL E-120 Speakers installed (4x each)

Each speaker was wired in parallel for a total of 4 ohms

----------Effects----------MXR Phase 90 pedal

Probably switched to this following the Peavey deal5-inch-long capo-wireCoricidin Medicine Bottle


ONE MORE FROM THE ROAD----------Guitars----------

1969 Gibson SG1960’s Gibson Les Paul Standard (Berniece)

----------Amps----------Peavey Mace 320T Combo (2x)Peavey 412S Straight Speaker Cabinet (2x)Peavey Mace 320T Head (2x)

160 watt outputUsed 6L6-type tubes in the power sectionNotes

Exterior recovered w/ tweed2nd head probably didn’t come along until RCB daysStill used live today (Usually placed in a rack behind the XXX stack)

----------Effects----------MXR Phase 90 pedal5-inch-long capo-wireCoricidin Medicine Bottle


BRITISH/US/JAPAN TOURS 76-77----------Guitars----------

1960’s Gibson Les Paul Standard (Berniece)1969 Gibson SG




STREET SURVIVORS----------Guitars----------


----------Amps----------Peavey Mace 320T Combo (2x)Peavey 412S Straight Speaker Cabinet (2x)Peavey Mace 320T Head (2x)Ampeg T model

V-2 model Speaker cabinetNotes:

Used on That Smell and (possibly) Ain’t No Good Life



TOUR OF THE SURVIVORS----------Guitars----------





1979 VOLUNTEER JAM----------Guitars----------

1960’s Gibson Les Paul Standard (Berniece)


----------Effects----------5-inch-long capo-wireCoricidin Medicine Bottle


ANYTIME, ANYPLACE, ANYWHERE----------Guitars----------

1960’s Gibson Les Paul Standard (Berniece)1960 Gibson Les Paul/SG

Cherry Red finish with black pick guardBound neckSideways tremoloStock Gibson pickupsNotes:

Only used on FreebirdB string is replaced with another .017 gauge G to create a “drawling” sound.

All of Gary’s SG’s are strung in this mannerGary started using this one mainly during his tenure with RCB and used it until Gibson made the Tribute model of his ’69 SG in 2004.




THIS IS THE WAY----------Guitars----------

1960’s Gibson Les Paul Standard (Berniece)1960 Gibson Les Paul/SGGuild X-79

Candy Apple Red finish w/ black pickguardXR-7 Open Coil pickups (neck and bridge)Nickel hardwareQuick-change SP-6 tailpieceAdjustomatic bridgeDeluxe tuning machinesNotes:

Gary was seen with this guitar in a 1982 Guild guitar ad. RCB had a Guild endorsement for a couple years.




THE ROSSINGTON BAND----------Guitars----------

Squire StratBlack finish w/ white pick guardAll-maple neckNotes:

Gary most likely used this one for a fan to have signed.Washburn G-15

Red FinishWonderbar tremolo systemActive electronicsNotes:

Used only during the Rossington Band opening performances during 1987-1989

----------Amps----------Unknown Peavey Stacks


TRIBUTE TOUR----------Guitars----------

1960’s Gibson Les Paul Standard (Berniece)1960 Gibson Les Paul/SG1967 Gibson Les Paul Professional (“Dottie”)

Sunburst finish w/ heavy flameTrapezoidal inlaysGibson hum buckers (neck and bridge)4 control knobs - 2 for volume, 2 for toneNotes:

Bridge is a tune-o-matic rather than separate saddlesGary started using this as his backup Les Paul starting with the Tribute Tour


----------Effects----------MXR Phase 90 pedalAlesis Microverb

Used during the Tribute Tour5-inch-long capo-wireCoricidin Medicine Bottle

----------Picks----------Mel Bay Bullseye PicksFender Mediums

Custom-made

----------Strings----------Dean Markely

.010-.046Gibson Brand

.013 set

LYNYRD SKYNYRD 1991----------Guitars----------

1960’s Gibson Les Paul Standard (Berniece)1960 Gibson Les Paul/SG1967 Gibson Les Paul Professional (“Dottie”)Pensa-Suhr Custom

Telecaster-type bodyBlue finishEMG-SA pickup (neck)EMG 81 pickup (bridge)Floyd Rose vibrato system2 control knobs - 1 volume, 1 toneNotes:

Only used on “Backstreet Crawler”


----------Effects----------MXR Phase 90 pedalAlesis Microverb5-inch-long capo-wireCoricidin Medicine Bottle


----------Strings----------Dean MarkelyGibson Brand

THE LAST REBEL----------Guitars----------






ENDANGERED SPECIES----------Guitars----------


----------Acoustic Guitars----------Griffin CustomNational Acoustic





SOUTHERN KNIGHTS----------Guitars----------






INTERNATIONAL TOUR ‘96----------Guitars----------


----------Amps----------Peavey 412S Straight Speaker Cabinet (2x)Peavey Mace 320T Head (2x)




TWENTY----------Guitars----------

1960’s Gibson Les Paul Standard (Berniece)1960 Gibson Les Paul/SG1967 Gibson Les Paul Professional (“Dottie”)Gibson Les Paul

Sunburst finishSeymour Duncan Open-coil pickups (neck (white) and bridge (black))4 control knobs - 2 volume, 2 toneBlock inlaysNotes:

Tuned to Open-D and used on Voodoo Lake only





LYVE FROM STEELTOWN----------Guitars----------

1960’s Gibson Les Paul Standard (Berniece)1960 Gibson Les Paul/SG1967 Gibson Les Paul Professional (“Dottie”)Gibson Les Paul





EDGE OF FOREVER----------Guitars----------

1960’s Gibson Les Paul Standard (Berniece)1960 Gibson Les Paul/SG1967 Gibson Les Paul Professional (“Dottie”)Gibson Les PaulGibson Les Paul Standard “Old Black Bubba”

Black finish w/ cream pick guardGold hardwareCream bindingStandard set up otherwiseNotes:

Purchased during “Edge of Forever” Sessions when “Berniece” was having tuning problems





1999 USA TOUR----------Guitars----------

1960’s Gibson Les Paul Standard (Berniece)1960 Gibson Les Paul/SG1967 Gibson Les Paul Professional (“Dottie”)Gibson Les PaulGibson Les Paul Standard “Old Black Bubba”





VICIOUS CYCLE TOUR----------Guitars----------

1967 Gibson Les Paul Professional (“Dottie”)Gibson Les PaulGibson Les Paul Standard “Old Black Bubba”Gibson ES-335 Dot

Cherry Red finish w/ black pick guardStock Gibson Hum buckers (neck and bridge)Bound rosewood neck w/ dot inlays4 control knobs - 2 volume, 2 tone

Gibson Les Paul “James Beam”Jim Beam logo graphic designStandard set up otherwise

Gibson Les Paul “Gary Rossington Signature”Aged Skynyrd-burst w/ cream pick guard and singly-ply cream binding

Aged finish done by Gibson’s Tom MurphyNeck specs:

1-piece Mahogany constructionNeck tenon set-inRounded profile

Gibson classified the guitar as an R8 (1958 Historic Reissue), so it has a fat neckSingle-ply rosewood fretboard

Acrylic trapezoidal inlays22 squared-off frets

Aged gold covered Gibson Burstbucker 2 (bridge)Aged gold covered Gibson Burstbucker 3 (neck)Aged gold ABR-1 bridge and stopbard4 control knobs - 2 volume, 2 tone

Gibson SG “Gary Rossington Signature”Cherry Red finish w/ black pick guardMahogany body constructionNeck specs:

1-piece mahogany constructionSingle-ply cream bindingSlim taper profileRosewood fretboard24 ¾” Scale1 11/16” nut widthVintage Trapezoid inlays

Electronics:Gibson Burstbucker pickups (neck and bridge)4 control knobs - 2 volume, 2 toneCTS pots and bumble bee capacitors

Aged nickel hardwareABR-1 bridgeMaestro Vibrato tailpieceVintage Tulip-style tuners

----------Amps----------Peavey Mace 320T Head (2x)Peavey XXX Head

Three channels - Clean, Ultra, CrunchActive EQ on Ultra and Crunch channels3 setting dampening switch6L6GC or EL34 power amp tubesUsed in conjunction w/ the XXX models listed below.Notes:

Be warned! Neither Rossington nor Medlocke actually use the XXX heads! They actually use their respective amp heads in a rack hidden behind the XXX stacks!As of summer 2006, all of the XXX models used by Skynyrd have been recovered in Tweed and have been repainted in colors to match

Peavey XXX 412 Speaker CabinetStraight cab6L6GC or EL34 power amp tubesNotes:

As of summer 2006, all of the XXX models used by Skynyrd have been recovered in Tweed and have been repainted in colors to match

Peavey XXX 212 ComboSame specs as the XXX headNotes:

As of summer 2006, all of the XXX models used by Skynyrd have been recovered in Tweed and have been repainted in colors to match

----------Effects----------Maxon PT999 Phase Tone

Used for Phased tones today5-inch-long capo-wireCoricidin Medicine Bottle



2005----------Guitars----------

1967 Gibson Les Paul Professional (“Dottie”)Gibson Les Paul Standard “Old Black Bubba”Gibson Les Paul “Gary Rossington Signature”Gibson SG “Gary Rossington Signature”

----------Amps----------Peavey Mace 320T Head (2x)Peavey XXX HeadPeavey XXX 412 Speaker CabinetPeavey XXX 212 Combo

----------Effects----------Maxon PT999 Phase Tone5-inch-long capo-wireCoricidin Medicine Bottle



2006----------Guitars----------

Gibson Les Paul Standard “Old Black Bubba”Gibson Les Paul “Gary Rossington Signature”Gibson SG “Gary Rossington Signature”





ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME CEREMONY

----------Guitars----------Gibson Les Paul “Gary Rossington Signature”Gibson SG “Gary Rossington Signature”

----------Amps----------Peavey Penta Series

Tweed coveredNotes:

Only used at the RRHOF ceremony

----------Effects----------5-inch-long capo-wireCoricidin Medicine Bottle



2007----------Guitars----------

Gibson Les Paul Standard “Old Black Bubba”Gibson Les Paul “Gary Rossington Signature”Gibson SG “Gary Rossington Signature”





2008----------Guitars----------

Gibson Les Paul “Gary Rossington Signature”Gibson SG “Gary Rossington Signature”

----------Amps----------Peavey Mace 320T Head

During Sept. of 2008, Gary’s amp stack was photographed head-on, revealing that the Mace head was hidden INSIDE of the XXX head!

Peavey XXX HeadOuter chassis only (See note above)“Sheriff” badge stuck on front

Peavey XXX 412 Speaker CabinetPeavey XXX 212 Combo

Most likely used as a spare, as no cord was connected to it.




2009----------Guitars----------

Gibson Les Paul “Gary Rossington Signature”Gibson SG “Gary Rossington Signature”

----------Amps----------Peavey Penta “Rossington Edition” Head

140 Watts RMS into 16,8, or 4 ohmsFour matched EL34 tubes and Four 12AX7 tubesDC-powered preamp tube heatersPentatone selects between five EQ/gain voicingsGain controlThree-band passive EQMaster volumePresence controlCeramic tube socketsCustom transformersFootswitch for switching two preampsWine Taurus covering

Peavey Penta “Rossington Edition” 412 CabinetSpecially voiced for use with the Penta head11-ply birch baffle½” poplar sidesFour 12” rear-mounted speakersTaurus covering




2011----------Guitars----------

Gibson Les Paul – “Berniece” ReplicaMain guitarChambered bodyStandard Gibson humbuckersNotes:

Survived Nashville floodUnder water for 5 daysRS Guitar Works in KY restored it

This LP, and all of Gary’s LP’s, come from the Gibson Custom ShopGibson Les Paul Axcess

Black finishBase of neck is contoured down for easier “axcess” to higher fretsThin and light body constructionTuned to Open-E for use on “Skynyrd Nation”

Gibson Les Paul - BackupSunburst flamed finishChambered bodyStock Gibson electronicsNotes:

Used after the flood while Gary’s main was being restored3rd Gibson Les Paul

Backup to the backup, rarely usedGibson SG

Used only on “Freebird”B-string is replaced with another GHigh action so the slide can’t fret outLyre vibrato setup

Vibrato bar has had arm removed.Backup SG

Identical to main

----------Amps----------Gary Rossington Limited Edition Penta’s

In use for 3 yearsNo channel switching, set up for distortion

Gary uses his volume to increase/decrease distTubes

Electro Harmonix EHSimilar to 6L6’s

12AX7’s in Pre-AmpMain input jacks are on the back of the head1 unit used for main amp, 4 backups

Peavey Rossington-Series Penta 412 Speaker CabinetBlack widow speakers (stock)

----------Effects----------Shure UR4D Wireless System (2x) – In Rack

Run into a 4-way switcher to go between guitars easierSwitcher is labeled: Main LP, BLK LP, Main SG, BLK SGMain output goes to the amp

Maxon PT999 Phase Tone5-inch-long capo-wireCoricidin Classic Large Slide (2x)

----------Picks----------D’Andria picks

Green colored

----------Strings----------GHS .09-.42 gaugeGHS straight .10 set

Used on the SG

“…So, we started it as a joke – calling the band Lynyrd Skynyrd – but, it

caught on, so we just kept it”

gary rossington equip history

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