Chuck Berry

Although some people credit Ike Turner as author of the first rock and roll song (specifically, 1951’s “Rocket 88”), no one can deny that Berry was the architect of rock guitar. From Keith Richards to Tony Iommi to Angus Young and beyond, every rock guitarist who ever strapped on a six-string owes an incalculable debt to Berry. Here is a video of Berry playing an ES-335 in Belguim 1965

In a 1971 photograph, Chuck Berry is seen playing a 1956 Gibson ES-350TN, highlighting his preference for this semi-hollowbody electric guitar.

Here is an image of Berry playing a black Les Paul custom early in his career

Here berry can be seen playing his famed ES-335

"Berry played a black Les Paul Custom and, in the ’80s, a Gibson Lucille signature model," states this article.

Berry used two stock Dual Showmans (Showmen?) live, as stated in this November 17, 2008 Premier Guitar article, this concert rider taken from this The Smoking Gun page and this December 15, 2011 Questia article. Listings for two of Berry's 1971 D.S.R.'s are linked here and here.

Premier Guitar, "My Amps' Date With Chuck Berry"

He confided that Chuck preferred to play through two Dual Showman Reverb amps, unaltered from factory specifications. “Hmmm,” I thought, rubbing my hands together like a little fly about to feast on a tasty morsel. I then asked, "What would be a fair rental price for you?” He said, “Well I could pay $300 if that sounds fair.”

Not wanting to appear too eager I said I thought that should suffice and made arrangements for someone to come pick up the amps. Only having a Lincoln Town car, I knew I couldn't load those behemoths by myself. So it was agreed that Sharna would come by in the early afternoon of the concert to help fetch the amps. I later found out that Mr. Berry has a stipulation in his contract that unless two Fender Showmans are provided by the promoter, there is an additional $5,000 fee for his performance. This made me feel like my $300 was a paltry fee in light of this information.

Questia

Since his '70s comeback, Berry has managed his own career, and his concert rider has included the following provisions: "Three professional AF to M muscicians, capable and familiar with Chuck Berry's music, to serve as a backup group which must consist of only a 'show' drummer with drums, a pianist and a grand piano, an electric bass guitarist with a bass guitar, and two unaltered Fender Dual Showman Reverb amplifier sets." Now that's rock and roll.

Vintage and Rare listing

I would like to offer my Fender Dual Showman Reverb amp with the original cabinet (2x15'' JBL) and flightcase that comes with it. I bought the amp for rider.nl, which is a backline company in The Netherlands. The amp was used by CHUCK BERRY on an European tour in 2007-2008.

The amp is in superb condition and had a retube this year.

2017 Reverb.com listing

UNIQUE FENDER DUAL SHOWMAN REVERB (HEAD+CAB) FOR SALE PROFESSIONAL FLIGHTCASE FOR THE 2X15INCH CABS.

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY INCLUDED.

YOU CAN SEE CHUCK BERRY USING HIM IN THE LINK BELOW: [Chuck Berry, Let it rock Amsterdam 19 nov 2008]

In this photo, Berry is seen with Gretsch White Falcon doublecut. One of the differences that this guitar has 4 knobs, instead of 1 or 2 knobs normal White Falcon has. Some also think that this was a gift from Neil Young, considering he does the knob thing to his Gretsch guitars, in purpose of splitting the pickups.

In this tweet, by Seymour Duncan, Chuck Berry can be seen playing a cherry red Gibson Flying V.

In the YouTube video titled "Chuck Berry & John Lennon (1972) HQ" by angue, Chuck Berry is seen playing a Gibson ES-330 Electric Guitar. Despite the poor film quality, the guitar is identifiable by its distinctive chrome dogear P90 pickups, which were used instead of humbuckers.

In this vid you can see Chuck using it, stacked on 4x12 cabs. Those amps were german made, and they were part of the backline of the Beat-club TV show along with the Oranges and Matamps.

Chuck Berry is seen using a Gibson ES-355 Walnut VOS Varitone with Maestro Tremolo in a later stage of his career, as evidenced by a photo found via Google.

Producer Steve Hoffman has stated his use of the LA-2A for Berry.

My Teletronix LA-2A, ganged for stereo or mono reproduction via the handy toggle switch in the center of the two units. (...) I've used it on countless projects, Nat "King" Cole, Frank Sinatra, Beach Boys, Doors, Eagles, Ringo, McCartney, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Peggy Lee, Jethro Tull, Chuck Berry, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Van Morrison, White Stripes, Tom Petty, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ella Fitzgerald, Yes, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Steely Dan, Steppenwolf, Bad Company, Jim Croce, Elvis Presley, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland, Dave Mason, Paul Simon, America, The Band, Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Cars, ZZ Top, James Taylor, Art Pepper, Steve Miller Band, Queen, Rod Stewart, Duke Ellington, John Lee Hooker, Al Jolson, Roy Orbison, Bing Crosby, Sammy Davis, Jr., The Who, Lightnin' Hopkins, Bill Haley & his Comets, Miles Davis, Mamas and Papas, Blue Öyster Cult, The Byrds, Eric Clapton, Bill Evans Trio, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Phil Collins, Alice Cooper, Deep Purple, Jeff Beck, Doobie Bros., Faces, Grand Funk, Heart, Billy Joel, Linda Ronstadt, Ten Years After, Grant Green, Wes Montgomery, Pat Benetar, Elton John, Leon Russell, Metallica. etc.

This article states, "Chuck Berry’s most iconic guitar would have to be his 1957-ish Gibson ES-350T, which sported the company’s then-new P.A.F. humbuckers and was used to cut most of his Chess recordings (though Berry was also photographed with an earlier P-90 model, which was introduced in 1955)."

Solid body Gretsch with: * G-Cutout Tailpiece (not a G6121) * Leather + Furniture Tack binding (Roundup) * Steerhead headstock inlay (pre-1956) * Dynasonic pickups * Single toggle switch + tone knob * Block inlays

This is most definetly a G6130 Roundup. His right hand obscures what is probably a belt-buckle fused onto the G-Cutout tailpiece, a "G" branded into the lower bout, and a Melita bridge. No way to tell if it's a pine or maple top.

Berry pictured here with the Super 400

He's an image of Chuck playing the Kay Thin Twin K-161 early in his career

Specified in this concert rider (taken from this The Smoking Gun page) and visible in this 2017 Reverb.com listing for one of Berry's 1971 Dual Showman Reverbs.

Used a 1964 Firebird V during various concerts.

In a late 1990s photo, Chuck Berry is seen playing a Samick SAN-450 semi-hollowbody electric guitar. Additionally, this guitar is displayed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, as shown in the linked image: https://pin.it/1MHAb2v3j.

In the provided image, Chuck Berry is seen playing a black Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar during a concert alongside Keith Richards.

Here is Chuck Berry using his Gibson ES-295