Michael Nesmith

Sometime in 1968, Mike acquired a Gibson SG Custom, complete in a white finish, gold hardware, and the three humbucker pickup configuration (with similar likeness to Tony Iommi's Custom SG). The first and most well-known appearance of this Custom SG is during the live concert in the Head film, mainly in the song Circle Sky. From 1968 and onwards, Mike would use this guitar during the last few years of The Monkees and the first few years of his National band.

Unfortunately, in the early 1970s, Mike's SG Custom would be stolen from a club in the San Fernando Valley, and since then is not seen.

Another Gretsch guitar that Michael possessed appeared in the pilot episode of The Monkees. Nez had previously purchased this Gretsch Tennessean as a 6-string and later had it converted to a 12-string in Los Angeles, California. The neck eventually snapped off.

This sunburst 6-string Viking could be seen in episodes of The Monkees television series during both seasons. It has also been spotted in photographs taken during recording sessions.

Used in TV show only, not live or on record.

In a Rolling Stone article, Michael Nesmith of the Monkees discusses the reunion of his 1970s country-rock group, the First National Band. The piece mentions his use of a Martin 12-string D-42 Dreadnought guitar, highlighting its role in his musical journey.

Nesmith can be seen playing a Gibson Les Paul Custom in photos on this page.

Nesmith is seen here using the Super Beatle performing on camera with the Monkees

Nesmith scene here playing the instrument during the filming of the original pilot

Seen here in 1968 during the filming of head

Perhaps no other guitar defines Michael Nesmith than the famous blonde Gretsch, played by Michael on The Monkees television series, in the recording studio, and on the concert stage throughout the 1960s.

When providing audio commentary for The Monkees: Season One DVD set, Nez relayed that he always liked 12-string electric guitars. Various guitar companies like Vox and Rickenbacker produced 12-strings, but he preferred the bluesier, twangy sound made by a Gretsch as opposed to the pop sound of a Rickenbacker. Once the pilot of the TV show was sold, Nesmith approached Fred Gretsch and asked him to make a 12-string guitar. Gretsch complied and produced a non-production model, one of three made. (The other two were given to George Harrison and Chet Atkins.) "I played 12-string as a singer/songwriter. That's what I played on my own," Nesmith told Sound & Vision. "But when they said, 'What do you want to play on the show?' I said, 'Well, I want to play a 12-string.' They said, 'Gretsch will give you instruments.' I said, 'Oh, that’s great. Do they make a 12-string?' 'No.' 'Oh. Would they make me one?' And they said, 'Yeah, they will.' And that’s how I got it."

?A representative from Gretsch confirmed that the 6076 Model was produced from 1966-1970.

Nesmith is seen playing the Blonde Gretsch 6076 on the promotional video for "Pleasant Valley Sunday"

Nesmith is seen here in 1967 using a sunburst Gretsch Viking

Michael played Gibson J-200 on The Johnny Cash Show 1969.