Robbie Robertson

Robbie plays the Epiphone Riviera as you can see on this video

Robbie’s famous “Last Waltz Strat” Dipped in Bronze with his unique pickup configuration and Telecatser knobs for better volume swell control.

"Accustomed to performing with the two-pickup layout of the Tele, however, Robertson noticed that while on stage with the Strat, his plectrum would nick the guitar’s middle pickup.

So he replaced it with a left-handed pickup and moved it lower on the body so that it nudged the bridge pickup, which made it look like a humbucking pickup, all engaged by the three-way switch that was common on pre-1977 Strats.

While the modified pickup placement was eye-catching, the Strat earned its legendary status after it receieved a bronze coat. It wasn’t just painted bronze. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer actually dipped it in molten bronze before performing the Band’s final concert on Thanksgiving day, November 25, 1976.

Not only did the bronze shell offer a thicker sound, it also added about 10 pounds to the instrument, more than doubling its body weight. Though due to its weight he switched to another guitar late in the show, Robertson used the bronze Strat throughout much of The Last Waltz, forever pairing the bronzed work of art with its artist.

Robertson later modded the Strat in the 1980s with a tremolo before handing it over in 1995 to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for display." - Fender article.

This was Robbie’s main amp with The Band. You can see it on stage in The Last Waltz.

"This is the Telecaster from “Rock OF Ages” with The Band. Heavily modified since with an added Bigsby."

This is a vintage Fender Tweed amp of Robbie's private collection.

Robbie Robertson is listed as using the Fender Silverface Champ (Vintage Combo) amplifier, according to his gear list on Robbie-Robertson.com.

In the film "The Last Waltz" about The Band, Robbie Robinson can clearly be seen playing a Gibson EMS-1235 on the song The Weight

"Hand built by long time collaborator Bill Dillon Robbie played this guitar during Somewhere Down The Crazy River on Saturday Night Live."

Robbie Robertson uses a 1951 Martin D-28 guitar, as detailed on Robbie-Robertson.com by David.

This is a guitar of Robbie Robertson's personal collection as seen on his official website. He has played it now and then.

"I have a 1901 Martin OO-42, a 1919 Martin OO-45K that’s the only one in existence – it’s the guitar Emmylou Harris played in The Last Waltz, a beautiful koa Martin, and I have the only one in the world. So they started making that guitar – all in koa or with a spruce top." - Vintage Guitar interview

Robbie Robertson uses this effect as seen on his official websites gear collection.

Robbie Robertson uses this effect as seen on his official websites gear collection.

According to his "gear list", Robertson uses the Lovetone Doppelganger pedal.

This guitar is a Martin signature prototype model of Robbie's.

"There is a signature one that’s koa, and I also have a 2007 Martin Custom OM-42 that was used on the CD a lot, too. It’s called Showdog Workhorse." - Vintage Guitar interview

This Eric Clapton Signature Martin is also part of Robbie's collection of Martins.

Robbie Robertson owns a 1966 Epiphone Howard Roberts, the only vintage Epiphone guitar in his collection, as noted on Robbie-Robertson.com by David.

Robbie Robertson is associated with a Gibson ES-335, noted for its striking flamed maple top, as detailed on Robbie-Robertson.com.

Robbie Robertson uses a 1951 Fender "Broadcaster" Telecaster, as detailed on Robbie-Robertson.com by David.

Robbie Robertson owns a 1959 Danelectro, as highlighted on Robbie-Robertson.com.

This guitar was a one-off Fender Telecaster from the Custom Shop for Robbie.

Black pick guard, black pickups and Telecaster knobs. This is the official setup for the Moonburst Robbie Robertson signature Stratocaster.

"This Fender Robbie Robertson signature Stratocaster has no middle pickup, but two Strat pickups placed side-by-side into its bridge position. Its “moonburst” finish was done by Todd Krause at the Fender Custom Shop." - Vintage Guitar

Robbie Robertson uses the Fender Robbie Robertson Signature Custom Stratocaster, featuring a white pickguard, white pickups, and Telecaster knobs, as detailed on Robbie-Robertson.com.

Robbie Robertson uses the Rickenbacker Lap Steel Electric Guitar primarily at home, with occasional studio use, as noted on his official website.

According to his "gear list", Robertson uses the Fulltone ST-1 Supa Trem tremolo pedal.

I just got a guitar that I’m very excited about – it’s the exact guitar that Chuck Berry played in the beginning. It’s a Gibson ES-350T, plain maple colour, but it’s beautiful and Gibson just made me one. Because the sound of the guitar on those first Chuck Berry records is unbeatable. And also the sound that Scotty Moore played on some of those early records with Elvis, too, on those Gibson hollowbody guitars, was really beautiful.

Used on the LP 'Stage Fright' in 1970, as well as 'Moondog Matinee' and 'Cahoots'. Also used on 'It Makes No Difference on 'Southern Cross'

Songs he used it on include- 'Time to Kill', Life is a Carnival, Third Man Theme and the Rumor

Him and George Harrison also used the Uni-Vibe on Ringo's self-titled LP in 1973 on 'Sail Away Raymond'

This is a guitar of Robbie Robertson's personal collection as seen on his official website. He has played it a little.

"It’s a 1927 12-fret Martin OOO-45. It has a beautiful feel, beautiful tonality, and a beautiful balance to it. When you pick it up, it just feels right. Some guitars feel a little heavy this way or that way – you know? It’s just one of those things; you pick it up, and you don’t even have to play it. You think, “This is a piece of work.” It’s like a rifle; when it’s really well-balanced, it’s a piece of work." - Vintage Guitar interview

This guitar is the only nylon string narrow body Martin in Robbie Robertson's collection.

"I have a 1901 Martin OO-42, a 1919 Martin OO-45K that’s the only one in existence – it’s the guitar Emmylou Harris played in The Last Waltz, a beautiful koa Martin, and I have the only one in the world." - Vintage Guitar interview

This is a newer Martin D-28 from 1970. It's a back-up to the 1951 D-28, Robbie Robertson ownes.

This guitar is a Martin signature prototype model of Robbie's.