Lee Ranaldo

"The 3rd 'Kent' guitar used by Lee over the years. Lee began using it after the gear theft in July 1999, before replacing it with a new Fender XII (he still used the Kent exclusively for 'side2side' though). Strung up with 10 strings instead of 12 -- the bottom 2 weren't doubled up." - Chris Lawrence.

"The first of two F-hole Jazzblasters custom built for Lee by Saul Koll of Portland." - Chris Lawrence.

"'Ghost Bitch' was sculpted around this acoustic guitar's ability to emit droning foghorn-like feedback. I'm not sure what tuning this was in, but it's certainly not the E-based tuning I had listed before (which is listed on the 'Society is a Hole' page in the Bad Moon liners)." - Source.

On the Sonic Youth website here it is said:

Used by Lee/Jim: 2000-2001 2000 -- DDDDAA (Schizophrenia - LEE) 2001 -- EADGBE (Schizophrenia, Teenage Riot, Tom Violence - JIM) 2002 -- EADGBE (Schizophrenia) NOTES:

Tried out once or twice by Lee for "Schizophrenia", this guitar ended up replacing Jim's magenta Jazzmaster as his standard tuning guitar. Cream body 2 pickups Maple fretboard 1 slider 3 knobs Black pickguard "WE LUV YES" added post July 2000

On the Sonic Youth website is said that:

Used by Lee: 2006-2007 2006 -- EG#EG#EG# (PCH, Expressway) 2007 -- EG#EG#EG# (PCH, Expressway) NOTES:

This is the guitar X-rayed on the cover of the 'Corporate Ghost' DVD. Lee began using this live on the 'Rather Ripped' tour instead of the Fender 12-string. Like all of Lee's 12-strings, this is only strung with 10 strings, the heaviest 2 strings not being doubled. I have to apologize infinitely to Frank Deimel himself, who wrote me several times over the past couple of years to mention the misspelling of his name. Why don't you check out his website and see some of his other cool designs? Green mahogany body 4 lipstick single coils that can be switched to 2 humbuckers White pickguard Rosewood fretboard Several switches 2 knobs Active onboard electronics, including a built-in Leslie effect + piezo-system under the bridge

On the Sonic Youth website it is said:

Used by Lee/Thurston: 1985-1986 1985 -- F#F#F#F#EB (Death Valley '69, Brave Men Run - LEE) 1986 -- F#F#F#F#EB (Death To Our Friends, Starpower - LEE) (Death To Our Friends, Starpower, Shadow of a Doubt - THURSTON) NOTES:

To quote Lee, Guitar Player August '89: "When you run a slide over the Viper's pickups, it cancels out at one point so you get this weird 'wacka-wacka' sound." Sunburst body 2 single coils Maple fretboard 1 toggle switch 2 knobs Black pickguard

According to the Sonic Youth website it is said:

Used by Lee: 2002 2002 -- EBEEAB (Eric's Trip, Kissability) & "anything" (Making the Nature Scene, Burning Spear, etc) NOTES:

A new Univox gtr used by Lee on the Murray Street European tour. Didn't even make it to the west coast, though. Sunburst body. 2 single coil pickups. White pickguard. 2 knobs. Toggle switch. Rosewood fretboard. Listed as 'univox' on 2002 set lists.

According to the Sonic Youth Website, Lee Ranaldo used the Mu-Tron Bi-Phase during 1998 and 1999.

Full article here

Lee plays: the WaterFall, Boomster, TubeDreamer+

Lee Ranaldo uses a Fender Tonemaster & Matching 4x12 Cabinet, as detailed on Sonicyouth's website.

"After decades of trying everything, the Mastery Bridge is the solution we've been looking for." Thurston Moore & Lee Ranaldo, Sonic Youth

lee ronaldo can be seen using this pedal at 14:34

Ranaldo gave us a tour of his Hoboken studio, Echo Canyon West

Used between 1995-1996 with Sonic Youth during the washing machine tour. Can be seen in this clip of them playing at the Tibetan Freedom Concert in 1996

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8CrnbMFN-k

According to Sonic Youth's website, Lee Ranaldo used a Fender Electric XII:

"Used by Lee: 2000-2009 2000 -- CGCCGA#/C (Free City Rhymes, Renegade Princess) 2001 -- CGCCGA#/C (Free City Rhymes, Renegade Princess) 2003 -- EG#EG#EG# (Expressway) 2004 -- EG#EG#EG# (Paper Cup Exit, PCH, Expressway) 2005 -- EG#EG#EG# (Paper Cup Exit, PCH, Expressway) 2006 -- EG#EG#EG# (PCH, Expressway) ? 2007 -- EG#EG#EG# (Expressway) ? 2008 -- EG#EG#EG# (Expressway) ? 2009 -- EG#EG#EG# (Expressway, PCH) NOTES:

Purchased as a replacement for the Fender 12 stolen in July 1999. Strung up with 10 strings instead of 12 -- the bottom 2 weren't doubled up. Replaced by the Deimel 12-string in 2006, Lee seems to have returned to the Fender. Not sure specifically when the transition occurred. Sunburst body 12-string neck 3 jazz-style pickups Rosewood fretboard Tortoise shell pickguard 1 toggle switch 2 knobs Tuning written on tape on body. Listed as "12ST" on 2000 set lists. Listed as "Fender 12" on 2004 sets."

On Sonic Youth's website, a Hagstrom Viking Deluxe AM is listed among Lee Ranaldo's gear, and it says:

"Used by Lee: 1985 1985 -- ?? NOTES:

A sunburst Hagstrom Viking can be seen at Lee's feet in a picture from the March/April 1985 Europe tour. I've never seen this elsewhere and can't even guess what it might have been used for. Sunburst body 2 pickups Rosewood fretboard Black pickguard 2 f-holes"

On Sonic Youth's website it says:

"Used by Lee: 1996 1996 -- DAADDA (Junkie's Promise) NOTES:

It's been confirmed that this odd guitar, manufactured for Lee by Tim Knight of Guitar Castle in Salem, Oregon, was used on Junkie's Promise. This guitar was touring with the Sensational Fix exhibit. Gauges: .048 .036 .026 .017 .017 .014 Red body 2 single coils Rosewood fretboard 2 switches for each pickup 2 knobs Silver pickguard Torn flower sticker"

"After exchanging the Viper with Thurston, Lee used this guitar for F#F#F#F#EB on the American EVOL tours, and later for "PCH". While the neck had me fooled into thinking this was a Fender, I suspect that was exactly the intention behind Hondo's "Fame" logo. It's finally been identified, though!"- Chris Lawrence.

"The first acoustic guitar Lee has used prominently in live SY sets since 'Ghost Bitch'. After 'Or' left the sets, Thurston began using this for 'Massage the History'." - Chris Lawrence.

According to the Sonic Youth website it is said:

Used by Lee: 1986-1999 1986 -- F#F#AAEE (Shadow of a Doubt) 1998 -- F#F#AAEE (Shadow of a Doubt) 1999 -- F#F#AAEE (Shadow of a Doubt) NOTES:

Used solely on "Shadow of a Doubt" (dug up after 12 years of inactivity!). This guitar was stolen in July 1999. The Kimberly brand was made in the 60s by Kawai, who later bought Teisco. Fake Lee rolls around with this guitar at the end of the 'Titanium Expose' video. Sunburst hollowbody 2 single coils Rosewood fretboard 2 F-holes 2 knobs Bigsby-style tremolo Dayglo Tiger sticker Listed as "KIMBERLY" on '98/'99 set lists.

On the Sonic Youth website it is said:

Used by Lee: 1991-1992 1991 -- EG#EG#EG# (Expressway) 1992 -- EG#EG#EG# (Expressway) NOTES:

Another 12-string used for "Expressway". Fireglo body 2 pickups Rosewood fretboard White pickguard 4 knobs Toggle?

According to Ranaldo's Instagram photo, he uses TC Electronic PolyTune Mini.

Lee Ranaldo is using a BICHORUS in sonic youth with his KoT pedal in 2006

According to the linked page, Ranaldo used Ibanez Tube King in late 90's.

You can see a photo of Ranaldo's Ibanez AD80 on this site: http://www.sonicyouth.com/mustang/eq/lfx04.jpg

Here's the photo of his EHX Micro Synthesizer:http://www.sonicyouth.com/mustang/eq/06lfx14.jpg

In 1991, Lee Ranaldo used the Boss CS-2 Compression Sustainer, as documented by Sonicyouth.

A picture of Lee’s Korg organ can be found in this gear list

In Episode 18 of "Show Us Your Junk!" by EarthQuaker Devices on YouTube, Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth showcases his Bateria - Slicie Drum Kit. This electronic drum pad is integrated into his pedalboard setup, where he creatively uses it to produce unique sounds. According to additional insights, Lee purchased this homemade electronic kit from a specialty shop in Spain. Further details about his gear, including modifications and live usage, can be found on the Sonic Youth gear website.

Used by Lee in the 90's.