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

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

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.

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.

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.

This is one vintage Gibson piece that has it's place in Robbie's collection.

"Do you still have your Gibson Style O?

Yes, I do. It’s a 1920. I have older guitars, too." - Vintage Guitar interview

Robbie received this 1959 reissue when he was given the Les Paul award for outstanding achievement in music.

"This is the prototype for what would become Robbie’s signature Moonburst Stratocaster."

Robbie Robertson is associated with the Fender Robbie Robertson Signature Stratocaster, featuring a moonburst finish, white pickguard, black pickups, and Stratocaster knobs, as detailed on Robbie-Robertson.com.

Robbie Robertson uses a Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster, characterized by its Capri blue finish, see-through amber pickguard, and brass hardware, as detailed on Robbie-Robertson.com.

Robbie Robertson is associated with a Fender Stratocaster Custom Shop guitar, as detailed on his official website.

"I had a copper-colored Harmony [H44 Stratotone]. That was my first electric, and in that band, the guy playing lead guitar was Pete Traynor, who makes Traynor amplifiers."

Featured in this TalkBass.com forum post.

Not a bass, but my dad has a blonde '67 Tele supposedly owned by Robbie Robertson of The Band. He got it for $150 in the 80s because the bridge pickup was dead and it was from a friend who really needed some original Jaguar pickups, which he had from a Jaguar that he owned (and hated) in the 70s. He took out the neck pickup and put in two new EMGs because they were noiseless, Steve Lukather played them, and it was the 80s. He also owns a 60s Danelectro amp that was one of the house amps at Studio One in Jamaica.

This is the only archtop style guitar with P90s in Robbie's collection.