Kim Gordon

Sonic Youth's website states, about Kim Gordon's J. Mascis Jazzmaster:

"Used by Kim/Thurston: 2008-2009 2008 -- F#F#F#F#EB (Kool Thing - THURSTON) 2009 -- CGDACD (What We Know - KIM) & DADABD (Antenna, Leaky Lifeboat, Massage the History) NOTES:

A J Mascis signature Jazzmaster first seen at the Marc Jacobs fashion show on February 8th, 2008 -- used by Thurston for 'Kool Thing'. Kim seems to have adopted it for the Eternal tour, and since she keeps rotating tunings it's probably been used for almost every song! Eric replaced all of the stock white hardware with black hardware prior to the Eternal tour. Purple body, purple headstock Gold anodized pickguard 2 soapbar pickups Rosewood fretboard 2 Volume, 2 Tone controls, 3-way pickup switch, 2-way circuit switch Vibrato bar Gauges for DADABD = .052 .042 .026 .020 .017 .013"

Kim Gordon can be seen playing a Fender Jazzmaster Blacktop HS in this photo.

On Sonic Youth's website it says, about the Fender Jaguar Kim Gordon is holding in this photo:

"Used by Kim: 2009 2009 -- CGDACD (What We Know), DADABD (Antenna), DDAF#AD (Calming the Snake, No Way, Walkin Blue, Poison Arrow, Anti-Orgasm) NOTES:

Perhaps not literally a 'Fender', this is Kim's new Jaguar which has bounced thru every tuning for the Eternal songs in the short time she's used it. She seems to have rested on DDAF#AD for the tour, but we'll see. Eric built this for her with a Japanese reissue body, P-90 pickups, an Allparts neck, and a Mastery bridge. Red body Black pickguard 2 black P-90 pickups 2 knobs Toggle switch Mastery bridge Gauges for DDAF#AD = .052 .052 .036 .020 .017 .013"

According to Sonic Youth's website, Kim Gordon used a Musima Eterna:

"Used by Thurston/Kim: 1989-2007 1989 -- GABDEG (Teenage Riot, Hey Joni - THURSTON) 1992 -- DEGDBB (Swimsuit Issue - KIM) 1995 -- DADABB (Junkie's Promise - THURSTON) 1996 -- DADABB (Junkie's Promise - THURSTON) 1999 -- DADABB (Nevermind, Small Flowers Crack Concrete - KIM) 2000 -- DADABB (Nevermind, Small Flowers Crack Concrete - KIM) 2001 -- DADABB (Nevermind, Small Flowers Crack Concrete, The Empty Page, Karen Revisited, Disconnection Notice - KIM) 2002 -- DADABB (Nevermind, The Empty Page, Karen Revisited, Disconnection Notice - KIM) 2003 -- DADABB (The Empty Page, Karenology, Disconnection Notice - KIM) 2004 -- DADABB (The Empty Page, Karenology, New Hampshire - KIM) 2005 -- DADABB (The Empty Page, Disconnection Notice, Karenology, New Hampshire - KIM) 2006 -- DADABB (Rats - KIM) 2007 -- DADABB (The Empty Page, Rats - KIM) NOTES:

This odd East German guitar was purchased in L.A. by Kim in the mid-80s. Thurston used it live on occasion from '89-'96, but Kim used it to record her guitar parts on "Dirty" (and was using it for her part on 'Swimsuit Issue' live before obtaining the Les Paul). After the July '99 gear theft, she returned to this guitar for the recording of "nyc ghosts & flowers" and has used it on each album since (except possibly 'The Eternal'). This was probably used on some of the Free Kitten records as well. Here's a little info on this brand of guitar: Musima Eterna Black body 3 single coils Rosewood fretboard Tons of switches 2 knobs, probably more Small rectangular sticker Listed as "DDR" on '95 set lists. Listed as "ETERNA" on 2000 set lists. Listed as "eterna" on 2002 set lists. Return to the Sonic Youth Gear Guide."

Kim Gordan can be seen playing a Fender Lee Ranaldo Signature Jazzmaster at 2:44 into this video.

Sonic Youth's website states, about Kim Gordon's Yamaha Pacifica:

"Used by Kim: 1997-1999 1997 -- DADGGB (Female Mechanic, Karen Koltrane) 1998 -- DADGGB (Female Mechanic, Karen Koltrane) 1999 -- DADGGB (Female Mechanic, Karen Koltrane) NOTES:

Yamaha Pacifica Strat style, Kim's second guitar during '97 and '99. Stolen in July 1999. Cherry red sunburst body 2 single coils, humbucker in neck Rosewood fretboard Pearl pickguard 1 slider 3 knobs Serial # -- LX23245 Listed as "YAMAHA" on '97/98/99 set lists."

Sonic Youth's website states that Kim Gordon used a Gibson Les Paul Special, and includes this information about said guitar:

"Used by Thurston/Kim/Lee: 1999-2004 1999 -- CGGDDD (THURSTON) & FGCFAF# (Nevermind, Small Flowers Crack Concrete, Side2Side, StreamXSonik Subway, NYC Ghosts & Flowers, Lightnin' - THURSTON) 2000 -- FGCFAF# (Nevermind, Side2Side, NYC Ghosts & Flowers, Lightnin' - THURSTON) 2001 -- FGCFAF# (Nevermind, Side2Side, NYC Ghosts & Flowers, Lightnin' - THURSTON) 2002 -- FGCFAF# (Nevermind - THURSTON) 2004 -- EBEEAB (Eric's Trip - LEE) NOTES:

Purchased immediately after the gear theft in July 1999, this was originally played by Kim during the remainder of the July gigs, then used by Thurston during songwriting for "nyc ghosts & flowers". In July of 2000, he replaced it with a "real" Les Paul, but seems to have continued using the Maroon one instead. Apparently Lee began using this guitar in 2004. This was still in Lee's box of reserve guitars at the 07/28/09 show, with GGCGCD on the back of the headstock, so it was possibly used for 'Bull' as well. Maroon body 2 pickups Rosewood fretboard 1 toggle switch 4 knobs Black pickguard Rectangular sticker Gauges for FGCFAF# = .064 .062 .036 .028 .020 .017 Listed as "MAROON" on 2000 set lists."

Sonic Youth's website states, about this Ibanez Talman used by Kim Gordon:

"Used by Kim/Thurston: 1999-2009 1999 -- F#F#GGAA (probably -- THURSTON) & DADGGB (Lightnin' - KIM) 2000 -- DADGGB (Lightnin' - KIM) 2001 -- DADGGB (Lightnin' - KIM) 2002 -- EBEGGB (Plastic Sun - KIM) 2003 -- EBEGGB (Plastic Sun - KIM) 2004 -- EBEGGB (Plastic Sun - KIM) 2009 -- CDGADG (Malibu Gas Station - KIM) NOTES:

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 Kim for "Lightnin". She seemed to favour it during her solo SYR5 gigs, too. Resurrected for an oddball tuning (yes, "ADG" are all tuned up!) on 'Malibu Gas Station' in 2009, Bigsby now removed. Gold finish 2 soapbars Rosewood fretboard Tortoise pickguard 2 knobs 1 slider Bigsby style tremolo (added) Gauges for CDGADG = .052 .042 .026 .017 .014 .012 Listed as "IBANZ" on 2000 set lists. Listed as "ibanez" on 2002 set lists."

On Sonic Youth's website it says:

"Used by Kim/Jim: 1992-2006 1992 -- DEGDBB (Swimsuit Issue) 2001 -- EEBBF#F# (Sympathy for the Strawberry) 2002 -- EEBBF#F# (Sympathy for the Strawberry - KIM) (Eric's Trip, Shadow of a Doubt - JIM) 2003 -- EEBBF#F# (Sympathy for the Strawberry - KIM) (Eric's Trip, Shadow of a Doubt - JIM) 2004 -- GGDDD#D# (Pattern Recognition, Dude Ranch Nurse, Mariah Carey... - KIM) 2005 -- GGDDD#D# (Pattern Recognition, Dude Ranch Nurse - KIM) 2006 -- GGDDD#D# (Pattern Recognition - KIM) NOTES:

I had no idea, but apparently Kim was using this guitar way back in 1992! Definitely seen at November and December 1992 gigs, instead of the 'Snoopy' Les Paul for "Swimsuit Issue". Shared by Kim and Jim on the Murray Street tour. Tuning altered to GDD# for Nurse tunes, Kim's first use of SY's oldest remaining tuning! "Mariah" may have been in EEBBF#F#. Sunburst finish 1 pickup Rosewood fretboard 1 toggle switch 2 knobs Peace sign sticker Listed on 2002 sets as "peace jr". Listed on 2004 sets as "lp jr"."

Used by Kim: 1992-2001

1992 -- DEGDBB (Swimsuit Issue, Wish Fulfillment, On The Strip, Creme Brulee) 1993 -- DEGDBB (Swimsuit Issue, Wish Fulfillment, On The Strip, Creme Brulee) 1995 -- BEGDBB (Becuz, Junkie's Promise, Saucer-Like, Washing Machine, Unwind, No Queen Blues, Bone) 1996 -- BEGDBB (Becuz, Junkie's Promise, Saucer-Like, Washing Machine, Unwind, No Queen Blues, Bone) 1997 -- CGGDDD (Anagrama, Ineffable Me, Wildflower, Stil, Heather Angel, Hoarfrost, French Tickler) 1998 -- CGGDDD (Anagrama, Ineffable Me, Wildflower, Stil, Heather Angel, Hoarfrost, French Tickler) 1999 -- CGGDDD (Anagrama, Ineffable Me, Wildflower, Stil, Heather Angel, Hoarfrost, French Tickler)

NOTES:

Kim began using this mid-70s Gibson Les Paul Special in 1992, and it was her main live guitar from then until its theft in July 1999. Gauges: .052 .048 .042 .026 .020 .020 (DEGDBB) Tobacco sunburst finish 2 pickups Rosewood fretboard 1 toggle (taped up) 4 knobs Black pickguard "Snoopy" sticker Serial # -- 503202 Listed as "SNOOPY" on '98/'99 set lists.