Ritchie Blackmore

Ritchie Blackmore is confirmed to use a Fender Jazz Bass in this photo. The year and spec details of that bass guitar, as well as when he used it, are unknown. This is probably from his active period with Rainbow in the late 1970s.

From the article

“What kind of equipment did you use on Shades of Deep Purple?”

“My 335, and a Marshall 200-watt amplifier. I used an English-made fuzzbox, and a Vox wah-wah now and again.”

According to Steve Johnston's article on Hit The Lights, Ritchie Blackmore used the Dallas-Arbiter England Fuzz Face pedal.

According to an article on Guitar Lobby titled "Ritchie Blackmore Guitars & Gear (2022 Update)," Ritchie Blackmore used the Maestro Fuzz-Tone during the 1960s.

According to an article on Guitar Lobby titled "Ritchie Blackmore Guitars & Gear (2022 Update)," Ritchie Blackmore used a WEM Watkins Copicat tape echo in the early 1970s.

According to an article on Guitar Lobby titled "Ritchie Blackmore Guitars & Gear (2022 Update)," Ritchie Blackmore used the EMS Synthi Hi-Fli synthesizer during the 1970s.

Ritchie Blackmore utilized the AIWA TP-1011 tape recorder to achieve his desired echo effect during live performances in the Deep Purple Mk3 era, as confirmed by the source "Mk3 Sound" from BSM - Finest Treble Booster. Despite the availability of popular tape-echo machines like the Echoplex or WEM Copycat, Blackmore preferred the AIWA TP-1011 for its affordability and the unique "Sound-on-Sound" switch, which allowed him to create an echo effect by simply pressing a button. The AIWA TP-1011, a straightforward budget 3-head tape recorder, provided Blackmore a 1/3 second delay during his time with Deep Purple Mk3, and later, a 2/3 second delay with Rainbow. Notably, the AIWA TP-1011 was powered by silicon and lacked tube power or germanium transistors.

Ritchie Blackmore utilizes the Roland GR-50 Guitar Synthesizer for his performances, with evidence indicating that the synth output is directly connected to a GR-50 rack unit, and he maintains a second unit as a backup. The GR-50 provides the distinctive octave effect heard during his shows. Observations from performances reveal that when Blackmore adjusts the synth volume knob, the octave effect audibly ceases, underscoring the GR-50's role in his sound setup. This information is corroborated by discussions on "Ritchie Blackmore Rainbow Reunion Gear 2016 - 2019" on The Gear Page.

Ritchie Blackmore is confirmed to have used the Höfner 500/1 Bass, as evidenced by a photograph showing him playing the instrument alongside Glenn Hughes. This image is likely from the Deep Purple Mark III era, around 1974-75. The proof is visible in the source image provided.

What kind of equipment did you use on Shades of Deep Purple? My 335, and a Marshall 200-watt amplifier. I used an English-made fuzzbox, and a Vox wah-wah now and again.