Mike Ness

This is just one of the many videos showing Mike Ness performing with his band (Social Distortion) playing this guitar.

This is a '76 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe in a Goldtop finish. He replaced the two original Gibson mini humbuckers, which come stock in 70s Gibson Deluxe guitars, with a pair of custom-wound Seymour Duncan P-90s that were made specifically for him. (and then added some decals and stickers).

In this photo, Mike Ness can be seen with a Gibson Les Paul Deluxe. The caption of this photo, found in this article, reads, "Social Distortion frontman Mike Ness with his favorite guitar—a 1976 Les Paul Deluxe—at an August 10, 2010, gig at Harrah’s in Council Bluffs, Iowa."

Throughout the video, Mike is seen using a White 1960s SG JR with a black pickguard

In this live performance from the mid 80s, mike is seen playing a red Double Cutaway Melody Maker. Although it can be hard to make out, it is identiable by the small headstock

At 17.00 onwards in this video Mike talks about his Les Paul collection. The '76 Deluxe is his #1.

Used during the "Social Distortion" album era. In this video (live at UC Irvine in 1990), the black LP Custom can be seen clearly at the beginning and other times throughout the video. Also to note, Ness has a white LP Custom in the "Story of My Life" video. Not much has been spoken of by Ness or others regarding the Les Paul Customs used by him, and it is not known whether he owned/owns them or they were borrowed.

During a concert I attended ten years ago, Mike Ness used a Fender Telecaster as a backup guitar, positioned behind him in case of issues with his primary Les Paul. He notably played it during the performance of "Ball and Chain."

In this video, Mike Ness (with Jonny Wickersham) talks about his guitars and amps. While talking, Mike keeps holding this guitar. We can also see him playing it during most of Social Distortion's acoustic performances.

Used during the "Mommy's Little Monster" era, Ness was an avid SG user before switching over to Les Pauls. This one seems to be a black Standard with humbuckers and tons of stickers all over. He also used to own/play a white SG with a single P90 in the bridge.

At 17.00 onwards in this video Mike talks about his collection on Les Pauls. His Goldtop has been customised with some graphics.

On the back of the “Mommy’s Little Monster” record, there’s a picture of Mike playing a non-reverse sunburst firebird with a Gibson Maestro Tremolo system. I’m not sure how often he actually played it, but he definitely did use it.