Lee Ranaldo

In this picture of Lee Ranaldo's pedalboard, the Honey Bee Overdrive BearFoot FX can be seen.

Lee Ranaldo used a MXR Blue Box in Sonic Youth. It is shown in the picture and also in the list of his gear on Sonic Youth's website

Sonic Youth's website says, about Lee Ranaldo's Thinline Deluxe:

"Used by Lee: 1983-2009 198? (earlier?) -- EADECD/EADGBE 1983 -- EADECD/EADGBE (World Looks Red, Confusion is Sex, Shaking Hell, Making the Nature Scene, I Wanna Be Yr Dog, The Good and the Bad) 1985 -- D#D#C#C#GG (I Love Her All The Time) & EADECD/EADGBE (World Looks Red, Confusion is Sex, Making the Nature Scene, Burning Spear) 1986 -- F#F#GGAA (Tom Violence, White Kross, Burning Spear) & EADECD (World Looks Red) 1987 -- F#F#GGAA (Tom Violence, White Kross) 1989 -- EADECD (World Looks Red) & EADGBE (I Wanna Be Yr Dog) 1990 -- EEBBEF# (Dirty Boots) & F#F#GGAA (Tom Violence, White Kross) 1991 -- F#F#GGAA (Tom Violence, White Kross) 1992 -- F#F#GGAA (Tom Violence, White Kross, Drunken Butterfly) 1993 -- F#F#GGAA (Tom Violence, White Kross, Drunken Butterfly) 1995 -- F#F#GGAA (Tom Violence, White Kross) 1996 -- F#F#GGAA (Tom Violence, White Kross) 1999 -- F#F#GGAA (Tom Violence, White Kross) STOLEN 1999, RETURNED 2005 2006 -- D#A#D#BC#F# (Rats, Jams Run Free) 2007 -- D#A#D#BC#F# (Rats, Jams Run Free) 2008 -- D#A#D#BC#F# (Jams Run Free) 2009 -- D#A#D#BC#F# (Jams Run Free) NOTES:

Lee owned this early '70s Tele Deluxe for nearly 20 years, dating back to pre-Sonic Youth days. It was his primary "screwdriver guitar" in the early 80s, shuffled tunings in the late 80s and basically remained in F#GA until it was stolen on July 4th, 1999 in California. It was surprisingly returned to the band in 2005 along with his 'Target' Travis Bean, which was in considerably worse condition. The Tele was returned to playable condition and though 'Shaking Hell' and 'World Looks Red' became staples of the 'Rather Ripped' tour, this guitar was instead used in a new tuning for 2 Rather Ripped tunes. Gauges: .046 .046 .026 .026 .017 .017 (F#GA) Brown finish before theft, now blue F-hole 2 humbuckers Originally had a maple fretboard neck, which was replaced with a rosewood fretboard neck at some point between 1987 and 1989 Originally had no pickguard, pearl pickguard added in 1983, black pickguard added circa mid-80s 1 slider switch 2 knobs Circular sticker (unknown) Infinity sticker USA flag sticker Serial # -- 370090 Played by Lee in "Death Valley '69" & "Mildred Pierce" videos Listed as "F.HOLE" on '95 set lists. Listed as "TELE 2" on '99 set lists. Kurt Cobain borrowed this guitar to guest with Mudhoney on 'The Money Will Roll Right In' during their opening set for Sonic Youth in Castaic Lake on September 26th, 1992."

Lee Ranaldo is noted to have used a Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal pedal, as mentioned in The Sonic Youth Gear Guide. It was reportedly replaced by a Boss DS-1 later that year.

On Sonic Youth's website, about Lee Ranaldo's Fender Teleaster Deluxe, it is said:

"Used by Lee: 1992-2009 1992 -- GGBDGA (Sugar Kane, Genetic) & ? (100% on Letterman) 1993 -- GGBDGA (Sugar Kane, Genetic) 1995 -- EADECD (World Looks Red) 1999 -- EADECD (World Looks Red - on set, not played) 2000 -- F#F#GGAA (Tom Violence, White Kross) 2001 -- F#F#GGAA (Tom Violence, White Kross, She Is Not Alone?) 2002 -- F#F#GGAA (White Kross, Drunken Butterfly) & EBEEAB (Eric's Trip, Kissability) 2003 -- F#F#GGAA (White Kross, Drunken Butterfly) & EBEEAB (Eric's Trip, Kissability) 2004 -- F#F#GGAA (White Kross, Tom Violence, Drunken Butterfly) 2005 -- F#F#GGAA (White Kross, Tom Violence, Drunken Butterfly) 2006 -- EADECD (Shaking Hell, World Looks Red) 2007 -- EADECD (Shaking Hell, World Looks Red) 2008 -- EADECD (Shaking Hell, World Looks Red) 2009 -- EADECD (Shaking Hell, World Looks Red) NOTES:

The third of Lee's early 70s Tele Deluxes. Gauges: .042 .042 .036 .026 .017 .017 (GGBDGA) Brown body 2 humbuckers Maple fretboard 1 toggle switch 4 knobs Black pickguard Obscene fruit sticker "3" sticker Chord chart for some song (Shaking Hell? Sugar Kane?) taped to gtr String gauges for F#GA: .046 .046 .026 .026 .017 .017 Gauges for EADECD: .054 .042 .028 .028 .020 .02? Listed as "TELE3" on '99 set lists. Listed as "TELE" or "F#GA" on 2000 set lists. Listed as "tele 3" on 2002 set lists."

Lee Ranaldo uses a Digitech PDS-1002 Digital Delay Effects Pedal in "Sonic Youth".

Lee Ranaldo uses a Ibanez Analog Delay AD9 for the work with Sonic Youth.

Lee loves the sound of the Super Reverb sound. Lee had used Fender amps including Tone Master, Super Reverbs, Twin Reverbs, & Fender Bassman amps.

In this photo, Lee Ranaldo can be seen with his signature Jazzmaster.

"Used briefly by Lee in '87, this guitar appeared again, this time played by Thurston, in the 'Dirty Boots' video. It can also be seen on the back cover of 'Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star'." - Chris Lawrence.

Sonic Youth's website provides this photo of the Epiphone Dot used by Lee Ranaldo, and states:

"Used by Lee: 2006-2009 2006 -- F#F#AAEE (Shadow of a Doubt) 2009 -- F#F#AAEE (Shadow of a Doubt) NOTES:

A replacement for Lee's old Epiphone Casino, which broke. Red body 2 pickups Black pickguard Rosewood fretboard 1 toggle switch 4 knobs Bigsby style tremolo"

On Sonic Youth's website it says, about Lee Ranaldo's Les Paul Deluxe:

"Used by Lee: 1991-1999 1991 -- D#D#C#C#G#G# (I Love Her All The Time) 1993 -- GGCGCD (Bull in the Heather, Starfield Road, In The Mind of The Bourgeois Reader, Self-Obsessed & Sexxee) 1994 -- GGCGCD (Bull in the Heather, Starfield Road, Self-Obsessed & Sexxee) 1995 -- GGCGCD (Bull in the Heather, Starfield Road, Self-Obsessed & Sexxee, Washing Machine, No Queen Blues, Unwind) 1996 -- GGCGCD (Bull in the Heather, Starfield Road, Self-Obsessed & Sexxee, Washing Machine, No Queen Blues, Unwind) 1999 -- GGCGCD (Bull in the Heather, Starfield Road) NOTES:

Lee began using this mid-70s Gibson Les Paul Custom extensively on the early '91 tour w/ Neil Young & Crazy Horse. Its neck broke 3 or 4 times during the tour and had to be repaired by Neil's tech. This guitar was used in a new tuning on a large portion of "Experimental Jet Set..." and it remained in that tuning until its theft in July 1999. Gauges: .056 .056 .028 .024 .020 .020 (GGCGCD) Red sparkle finish 2 single coils, 1 humbucker Rosewood fretboard 1 toggle switch 4 knobs 2 coil taps Serial # -- 512510 Listed as "L.P." on '95 set lists. Listed as "LES PAUL" on '99 set lists."

According to the Sonic Youth website, Lee Ranaldo used a Boss CS-3 pedal in 1998.

Full article here

According to the Sonic Youth website, Lee Ranaldo used a Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive in Sonic Youth's MURRAY STREET SUMMER TOUR.

Full article here

Sonic Youth's website says, about Lee Ranaldo's Les Paul Custom:

"Used by Lee:

2006 -- D#D#A#D#GG (Incinerate, Rapture?, Pink Steam) & DD#A#D#GC (Sleepin' Around) 2007 -- D#D#A#D#GG (Incinerate, Rapture?, Pink Steam) 2008 -- D#D#A#D#GG (Incinerate, Rapture?, Pink Steam) 2009 -- D#D#A#D#GG (Pink Steam) NOTES:

For Sonic Youth's performance on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien", Thurston had to borrow a Les Paul because his maroon one was unavailable. He liked it so much, he bought his own, which he began using on the west coast tour that started 2 days later. However, he continued using the maroon one more frequently. A few years later, Lee adopted it as one of his main 'Rather Ripped' guitars. Dark tobacco sunburst finish 2 humbuckers Rosewood fretboard 1 toggle switch 4 knobs Black pick guard"

According to the Sonic Youth website, Lee Ranaldo used a Russian Big Muff Pi in Sonic Youth's MURRAY STREET SUMMER TOUR.

Full article here

An earthquaker Westwood is seen in Lee‘s pedal board in this video

Though originally, a 1965 Jazzmaster, Lee modified this guitar heavily to make it the "Jazzblaster".

"Purchased immediately after the gear theft in July 1999, this was originally played by Thurston during the remainder of the July gigs, then used by Lee afterwards. This might be the guitar Lee referenced in Guitar World, a 1965 Fender Jazzmaster fitted with Telecaster Deluxe pickups. Either way, this is a Jazzblaster now! It's one of Lee's main guitars, though as of 2009 it had become a back-up for the Lee Ranaldo signature model."

-Sonic Youth Website

Along with the brand new pickups, Nic Close, the guitar tech for Sonic Youth, recalled how Lee had taken out most of the extra electronics in his Jazzmaster to strip to a volume control and toggle switch for the pickups. Nic Close, who was also interviewed as a Sonic Youth tech, mentioned another modification regarding the replacement of the original Jazzmaster bridge with a Fender Jaguar bridge to improve its functionality. Nic Close and Jim Vincent were interviewed by Chrissy Mauck of Fender.

In 2006, Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth used the Analog Man King of Tone Overdrive pedal, as noted on Analogman’s website.

Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth shares his first impression of PolyTune Clip. An essentiel tool for his solo songwriting project.

In an interview with Guitar World, about his Between The Times and The Tides solo album, Lee Renaldo says about the A&L AMI Steel String Guitar, "These songs were all written in the last year and a half, primarily on acoustic guitars. One in particular is a cheap little parlor-size acoustic guitar by a company called Art & Lutherie, part of Godin Guitars, and it is a killer guitar. I did a project producing somebody, and they had one of these guitars and it recorded really well, which is kind of amazing. I think at that point, they were $150 or something. I think they cost more than that now, but it is a killer little guitar, the kind of guitar you can drag around with you and beat up and not worry too much about it. I started writing them all on that guitar and some other acoustics."

Sonic Youth's website states, about the Epiphone Casino used by Lee Ranaldo:

"Used by Lee: 2002-2005 2002 -- F#F#AAEE (Shadow of a Doubt) 2003 -- F#F#AAEE (Shadow of a Doubt) 2004 -- F#F#AAEE (Shadow of a Doubt) 2005 -- F#F#AAEE (Shadow of a Doubt) NOTES:

New Epiphone Casino used for "Shadow" on the North American Murray Street tour and beyond. Headstock broke off eventually. Red body 2 pickups Rosewood fretboard 2 f-holes Bigsby trem bar 4 knobs 1 toggle"

On Sonic Youth's website, about Lee Ranaldo's Jaguar, it says:

"Used by Lee: 1992-1999 1992 -- ?? (Burning Spear) 1995 -- GGDDD#D# (Brother James) 1996? -- GGDDD#D# (Brother James) 1997 -- GGDGGA (Female Mechanic Now On Duty) & GGDEGB (Hoarfrost) 1998 -- GGDEGB (Hoarfrost) 1999 -- GGDEGB (Hoarfrost) NOTES:

Another of Lee's Jaguars, stolen in July 1999. Lee was using this as early as December 1992. Gauges: .046 .046 .028 .028 .017 .017 (GDEb) Blonde finish Serial # -- L98539 2 Tele Deluxe humbuckers when it was stolen, looks like it had a Dimarzio or something circa '95. Rosewood fretboard Switches intact 2 knobs Trem bar Tortoise shell pickguard Clover sticker Used by Lee in "Diamond Sea" video Listed as "CLOVER" on '95/'99 set lists."

According to the Sonic Youth website, Lee Ranaldo used a Klon Centaur in 2006.

Full article here

"I’m not someone who has ever used or enjoyed a chorus pedal, but I was looking for something that simulated the sound of a Leslie rotary cabinet. The Waterfall fit the bill perfectly and gave me an approximation of that tremolo/rotary effect and more - a unique sounding effect unlike any other pedal I’ve heard! This pedal is great for lead guitar work, to add a far-out color to the sound. I’ve come to rely on it for use with my electric band but it's also found it great in the studio for situations where I want something a bit out of the ordinary… As with all of JAM’s pedals, the build quality is exceptional and the sound is great! "

On Sonic Youth's [website](http://www.sonicyouth.com/mustang/eq/gtr25.html, it says, about Lee Ranaldo's Mustang:

"Used by Lee/Jim: 1987-2009 1987 -- EADGBE (Beat on the Brat, Loudmouth, I Don't Wanna Walk Around With You, Today Yr Love, Tomorrow The World, Hotwire My Heart) 1988 -- EEEEF#F# (Cross the Breeze) (probably) 1989 -- EEEEF#F# (Cross the Breeze) 1990 -- EEEEF#F# (Cross the Breeze) 1999 -- DFCDFF (Nevermind, Small Flowers Crack Concrete, NYC Ghosts & Flowers) 2000 -- DFCDFF (NYC Ghosts & Flowers - JIM) 2001 -- DFCDFF (NYC Ghosts & Flowers - JIM) 2004 -- ?? (Eric's Trip - JIM) 2007 -- EEEEF#F# (Cross the Breeze - LEE) 2008 -- EEEEF#F# (Cross the Breeze - LEE) 2009 -- EEEEF#F# (Cross the Breeze - LEE) NOTES:

The first of several Mustangs acquired by Lee, modified w/ a humbucker between the 2 single coils. After the gear theft in July '99, Lee dug this out to use on the new "nyc ghosts" material, then replaced it with a Jazzmaster for the 2000 tour, allowing Jim to use the Mustang. Lee returned to this guitar for 'Cross the Breeze' on the Daydream Nation shows beginning in '07. Sunburst body 2 black single coils, 1 humbucker taped in Rosewood fretboard Pearl pickguard Switches removed 2 knobs Infinity logo on upper wing Mastery bridge added circa 2009 Used by Lee in "Sugar Kane" video Listed as "MUSTANG" on 2000 set lists."

Dutch inventor Yuri Landman crafted the Moonlander, an extended-range stereo drone guitar, specifically for Sonic Youth's guitarist Lee Ranaldo, as reported by Electric Guitar Review.

Sonic Youth's website states:

"Used by Lee: 2001-2007 2001 -- EEBEBB (Sympathy for the Strawberry, The Empty Page) 2002 -- EEBEBB (Sympathy for the Strawberry, The Empty Page) 2003 -- EEBEBB (Sympathy for the Strawberry, The Empty Page, Peace Attack) 2004 -- EEBEBB (The Empty Page, Peace Attack) 2005 -- EEBEBB (The Empty Page, Peace Attack) 2007 -- EEBEBB (The Empty Page) NOTES:

A Fender Subsonic first used on some new tunes in October 2001 (though it could have been used earlier, for all I know). This gtr is traditionally tuned down to BEADGB (like a 6-string 7-string) but Lee uses a tuning specific to E's and B's. Green body (not as blue as the picture looks!) 2 single-coils, humbucker in bridge Rosewood fretboard White pickguard 3 knobs Apple sticker Gauges: .054 .054 .026 .026 .017 .017 Listed as "subsonic" on 2002 set lists."

Sonic Youth's website says, about Lee Ranaldo's Fernandes Stratocaster:

"Used by Lee: 1989-2009 1989 -- AAEEAA (Silver Rocket, Candle) 1990 -- AAEEAA (Silver Rocket) & BBEEAA (Cinderella's Big Score) 1992 -- AAEEAA (Silver Rocket, Theresa's Sound-World, Youth Against Fascism, Burning Spear, On The Strip) 1993 -- AAEEAA (Candle, Theresa's Sound-World) 1995 -- AAEEAA (Silver Rocket, Candle) 2002 -- AAEEAA (Silver Rocket, Candle) 2003 -- AAEEAA (Candle) 2004 -- AAEEAA (Silver Rocket) 2006 -- AAEEAA (Silver Rocket, Candle) 2007 -- AAEEAA (Silver Rocket, Candle) 2008 -- AAEEAA (Silver Rocket, Candle) 2009 -- AAEEAA (Silver Rocket) NOTES:

A mid-80s Fernandes Strat copy used exclusively for AAEEAA up until 1996, then returned to when "Candle" and "Silver Rocket" re-entered the set in 2002. Gauges: .046 .046 .028 .028 .017 .017 Purple body 3 single coil pickups Rosewood fretboard White pickguard 3 knobs "Larissa" photo duct taped behind tailpiece (circa '89) Played by Lee in "Candle" "Mildred Pierce" & "Cinderella's Big Score" videos Listed as "pink fern." on 2002 set lists."

Sonic Youth's website says:

"Used by Lee: 1985-1987 1985 -- EG#EG#EG# (Expressway, Inhuman) 1986 -- EG#EG#EG# (Expressway) 1987 -- EG#EG#EG# (Expressway) NOTES:

This 12-string is a copy of the Vox Mark VII. If you'd like to see pictures of one up close (not Lee's), check out this site. Blue teardrop shaped body 3 single coils Rosewood fretboard White pickguard 3 knobs Trem bar"