Nancy Wilson

"This is her '63 Telecaster that she uses in a center position," Nancy's guitar tech says, at 24:42 in this rig rundown video.

She using this guitar for performing live Crazy On You back in 1977.

Nancy Wilson talks about designing her signature model guitar with Gibson. "When I designed the body shape of the guitar for Gibson years ago, I didn't bring it out on the road since I only had one prototype. I recently rediscovered it when I was going through the vault searching for guitars to take into the studio for the Fanatic album. When we cranked it up in the studio it was something to behold. It's definitely a heavy duty screamer. A gem of a Gibson."

In video Alone she is using some Kramer Baretta guitar but in black.

In this photo, Wilson is visible playing the Epiphone Masterbilt EF-500RA acoustic guitar.

In this photo, Nancy is seen playing the Takamine TAN15C, which is capoed up at 5th fret.

Nancy's signature Martin guitar is shown in this rig rundown, at 25:15.

In this user-uploaded photo, Nancy Wilson is seen playing a Gibson Korina Flying V Electric Guitar during a live performance.

In this photo (date and place unknown), Wilson can be seen playing the Epiphone Les Paul Ultra III.

Nancy Wilson frequently plays the Fender American Performer Telecaster Hum, particularly during her tours. The guitar is noted for its Lake Placid Blue finish, as seen in the user-uploaded photo.

Nancy uses a Martin DCPA1, as mentioned at 25:56 of this rig rundown.

"It was given to me by Elvis Costello when I worked with him...it's a great sounding guitar. She uses it a lot," says Nancy's guitar tech, at 27:53 in this Premier Guitar rig rundown.

At 27:58, Nancy's guitar tech shows her 1968 SG, which she uses for "Barracuda."

In the 1980s, Nancy Wilson of Heart endorsed Washburn guitars, specifically playing a Washburn Eagle 2nd series from 1982-86. Despite appearing to have custom Hamers, these were actually high-end, made-in-Japan Washburns.

The single-pickup 1968 Gibson SG, equipped with Bigsby, is used by Wilson for Barracuda, from at least 2002, as seen here. Also, at the back of the guitar there is US Marine Corps sticker, which is a hommage to father of Ann and Nancy Wilson, who served at the US Marine Corps.

An Explorer model guitar with flame top, possibly a prototype guitar manufactured in the late 1970s by a custom luthier, no logo or serial number. Nancy Wilson played the guitar on stage as well as in the studio for the Bebe Le Strange and Passionworks recordings. Accompanied by two photographs of Wilson with the guitar, both signed "[heart] Nancy Wilson," and a hardshell case.

The 1961 Gibson Les Paul Junior was used on "Fanatic", as said in her Vintage Guitar interview. She says : "I used most – my ’61 Les Paul Junior, and a guitar I designed for Gibson just before Heart went on the blocks for awhile in the early ’90s."

"I might trot out the Paul Reed Smith 12-string with the dragon inlays. I’m going to see of that will work on some of the new songs.".- for Guitar World interivew. Apparently, she probably thinks about this guitar, which she owns from at least 2001, when she was photographed by Vintage Guitar.

She using this guitar to perform live Barracuda.

You can see Nancy play a black V with white pickguard on the Ann & Nancy Wilson + Foo Fighters Letterman performance (can be seen on the video from 0:37 and forward).

Listed on Wilson's Reverb.com shop on 2022.

This Ovation DS778 Elite Long Neck is Owned by Nancy Wilson of Heart

Serial: 619574 There are some very light scratches and scuffs on the top of the guitar that are only really visible if you're looking closely. This guitar has clearly been well maintained over the years. The electronics all function as intended, but the sliders/pots are a tad scratchy so they could benefit from a cleaning. We tested this with a 9V battery, but it is not included in the sale.

Nut Width: 1-11/16"

Neck Thickness 1st Fret: .885"

Neck Thickness 10th Fret: .924"

Scale Length: 24.75"

Listed on Wilson's Reverb.com shop in 2022.

This Ovation 1759 Custom Legend is Owned by Nancy Wilson of Heart

Serial: 395940 There are a few dings on the top of the body as well as on the back of the neck. There is a fairly noticeable surface crack on the bout of the body as well. The pearl binding has a few tiny cracks here and there but nothing too major. The color of the guitar has yellowed quite a bit with age. This guitar has a very beautiful and ornate rosette, bridge, and pearl binding. The electronics function, however we tested this with a new battery and the original battery has tape around it and is firmly stuck in the compartment (we did not feel it was necessary to try to pry it out at this time. It will come out, but we wanted to leave this for a luthier). There is a piece of gaff tape on the back of the body and we are unsure whether this is to secure the back cover, as we did not remove it. The EQ on the side of the guitar is taped, likely to prevent the settings from being nudged and or adjusted by accident.

Nut Width: 1-7/8"

Neck Thickness 1st Fret: .850"

Neck Thickness 9th Fret: .946"

Scale Length: 25"

Listed on Wilson's Reverb.com shop in 2022.

This Les Paul Special TV Yellow is Owned by Nancy Wilson of Heart

Serial: 6 5163 There are scratches and dings all throughout the body as well as some paint chipping. The neck and headstock also have some small scuffs, scratches, and finish checking. The sides of the fretboard have some paint wearing down. The hardware is fairly tarnished. The guitar plays great and the pickup sounds awesome.

Nut Width: 1-11/16"

Neck Thickness 1st Fret: .897"

Neck Thickness 12th Fret: .964

Scale Length: 24.5"

CONTAINS BRAZILLIAN ROSEWOOD DOMESTIC SHIPPING ONLY

Purchased from David Petschulat ca. 1981, as relayed by Petschulat in his April 2021 Mini Les Paul newsletter (copied in this Van Halen Gear Timeline page). It was listed on Wilson's Reverb.com shop in 2022, noting its appearance on the back cover of Heart's Greatest Hits / Live.

Van Halen Gear Timeline, "Mini Les Paul"

Below is information from David’s April 2021 Newsletter.

[...] I finished that first guitar, which is a monstrosity, but the second one I sold to Nancy Wilson of Heart. Then I sold one to Dave Hlubek of Molly Hatchet. Then Jackson Browne. Then Mick Jones of Foreigner. Howard Leese, Steve Morse. It was exciting. In the summer of 1981 I finished little #13 – a small Les Paul with a bird’s eye maple top, my “Flying P” logo, and a doggone tiny little amp and speaker stuffed inside of it.

Reverb.com, "Petschulat Custom Baby Les Paul Owned by Nancy Wilson of Heart"

This Petschulat Custom Baby Les Paul is Owned by Nancy Wilson of Heart

Only one of several made according to Wilson. “It’s very teeny tiny. It was on stage with me, and Howard Lee has had one too. It’s also the star of the cover of Heart’s album Greatest Hits Live.”

Very rare and tiny guitar! There is some finish checking on the top of the guitar as well as the headstock and neck. There are various other small dings and scratches on the back. The hardware is pretty tarnished with age as well. There are a handful of lacquer cracks on the binding of the neck as well as by the nut. Everything about this guitar, aside from it being mini, functions as any other guitar would. Comes with a small custom case.

Nut Width: 1 19/31"

Neck Thickness 1st Fret: .769"

Neck Thickness 12th Fret: .938"

Scale Length: 17"

Listed on Wilson's Reverb.com shop in 2022.

This Gibson ES-140T is Owned by Nancy Wilson of Heart

Serial: 535219 This is a SMALLER guitar. It may be hard to tell from the photos, but this is not a full size guitar. There is a decent amount of finish checking as well as a good amount of buckle rash on the back. The headstock also has a good amount of paint chipping. Overall, the cosmetic condition of the guitar is pretty solid. The hardware is fairly tarnished. The original tuners have been replaced and you can see the original holes on the back of the headstock. The sides of the fretboard near the neck joint appear to have a lot of chipping. The electronics function and the guitar plays nicely, however it definitely needs some new strings as the current ones are old and rough feeling.

Nut Width: 1-37/64"

Neck Thickness 1st Fret: .843"

Neck Thickness 12th Fret: .921"

Scale Length: 22.75"

CONTAINS BRAZILIAN ROSEWOOD DOMESTIC SHIPPING ONLY

Listed on Wilson's Reverb.com shop in 2022.

This Les Paul Jr. Double Cutaway is Owned by Nancy Wilson of Heart

Serial: N/A There are a good amount of scuffs and scratches as well as checking (which is actually fairly difficult to see at first glance) throughout the body, neck, and headstock. The tuning pegs were replaced at some point. There is also a handful of paint chipping on the sides. You can faintly see hues of red on the side of the fretboard by the dots and by the bottom strap button, indicating the original color of this guitar.

Nut Width: 1-11/16"

Neck Thickness 1st Fret: .858"

Neck Thickness 12th Fret: .963"

Scale Length: 24.5"

CONTAINS BRAZILLIAN ROSEWOOD DOMESTIC SHIPPING ONLY

Listed on Wilson's Reverb.com shop in 2022.

This Fender Telecaster Custom is Owned by Nancy Wilson of Heart

Serial: 579632 There is a lot of checking in the finish. There are also a good amount of dings, dents, scratches and paint chipping throughout. The hardware is fairly tarnished. The input jack has a coating of rust. The back of the neck has some small scratches and dings, but overall it's still very comfortable and glossy. The gloss on the edges of the fingerboard is fairly consistently worn to the bare wood, but this is more of a visual thing and not so much felt or noticed while playing. The guitar could benefit from a fretboard clean but it feels great and has a nice low action, very easy to play. These are all signs of this guitar getting plenty of use. The electronics do function, however there seem to be some issues with the input jack as the signal intermittently cuts in and out and you have to find the sweet spot by wiggling the cable. The volume/tone knobs also seem to be inconsistently effecting the sound and this will also need to be addressed. Namely, the volume/tone knobs are effected very quickly after being turned up from zero, and they sound dimed at about 8 instead of 10. From 8-10, the volume/tone decreases a bit. These are likely super easy fixes by a tech. This guitar comes with a hardshell case that was actually for a Kramer guitar.

Nut Width: 1-39/64"

Neck Thickness 1st Fret: .843"

Neck Thickness 12th Fret: .901"

Scale Length: 25.5"

Listed on Wilson's Reverb.com shop in 2022.

This TV Jones Spectra Sonic Supreme is Owned by Nancy Wilson of Heart

This guitar was frequently used to play “Barracuda” live.

Serial: 12 0119 There is a good amount of scratches on the body with a few small dings here and there as well as some light paint chipping. The hardware is fairly tarnished. The neck and headstock also have some slight cosmetic flaws but nothing too bad. The guitar plays nicely with a pretty low action. All of the electronics function as intended.

Nut Width: 1-45/64"

Neck Thickness 1st Fret: .810"

Neck Thickness 12th Fret: .945"

Scale Length: 24.5"

Listed on Wilson's Reverb.com shop in 2022.

This Les Paul Special Double Cutaway is Owned by Nancy Wilson of Heart

Serial: 9 9277 There are chips, scratches, and checking throughout the finish. The pickguard was removed at some point and the outline can be clearly seen in the finish. The pickguard is no longer with the guitar at all. The back cavity cover plate has been removed leaving the electronics exposed. The hardware is fairly tarnished. The input jack is a bit scratchy and will likely have to be cleaned and or resoldered. Overall, the guitar could benefit from a general setup and cleaning as the frets are a bit grimey and the pots are scratchy. There are dings and chips on the headstock, some of which have been touched up with black paint. The tuners have been replaced and you can see the outline of where the old ones existed as well as the original screw holes. A brass nut has been installed. There appears to have been a neck break, as you can see the refinish job at the heel of the neck. The neck break must have been pretty extensive because in between the fretboard and neck pickup there is a strip of plastic nailed to the body almost as if to conceal something. Below the neck pickup there has also been a chunk of wood set in the body. All of this is likely related to the repair. After all of this is said and done, the guitar still functions great and the electronics sound fantastic! After all, these types of breaks are quite common with these older Gibsons.

Nut Width: 1-11/16"

Neck Thickness 1st Fret: .885"

Neck Thickness 12th Fret: .981"

Scale Length: 24.5"

A Taylor 810 equipped with an early Bill Lawrence FT-145 pickup was listed on Wilson's Reverb.com shop in 2022.

This Taylor 810 is Owned by Nancy Wilson of Heart

Serial: 1326 There are dings, dents, and scratches all over the guitar. There are some scuffs on the back that appear to mostly come off when buffed, however we will leave these here for the buyer to determine whether they want the mojo! The neck is in pretty good condition feel-wise, but does show signs of use. Other than having some pretty old strings, the guitar plays pretty well but would feel even greater from a simple setup. Solid player all in all! Comes with a cheap old chipboard case. The nut looks to possibly have a wood shim underneath it to raise the action. The pickup is set by glue in the sound hole. The electronics function as intended.

Nut Width: 1-45/64"

Neck Thickness 1st Fret: .776"

Neck Thickness 10th Fret: .842"

Scale Length: 25.25"