Roland Orzabal

Orzabal used "The Strat" mainly for live work from 1983 to 1985, after which he may have given the Guitar to their touring guitarist Neil Taylor, who could be seen playing it in 1990 while on their Seeds Of Love tour. There is a high chance he used this guitar to record on their first and or second album.

In an Interview with Dan Goldstein of Electronics And Music Maker Magazine in January of 1985, Orzabal states, "My favourite guitar of all which is just called The Strat - it's got more bottom end than an ordinary Strat and a cleaner sound, too."

In another interview with Tony Bacon in October of 1984 Orzabal states, "I've got what's called The Strat, too, another walnut and gold one, that's a classy looking instrument."

In the official music video for "Everybody Wants To Rule The World," Roland Orzabal of Tears For Fears is seen playing a Tokai AST, notable for its matching blue headstock.

Seen in this live photo, as well as many others. One of Roland's main live guitars.

In the YouTube video "Tears For Fears Memories Fade, 1983 Live," Roland Orzabal can be seen playing a Fender Telecaster during the Hurting tour and in early videos for Songs from the Big Chair.

As per this interview: "Nowadays, my go-to guitar is a Gibson [ES] 330. It’s the Gibson equivalent of the John Lennon Epiphone Casino, and that has just got an amazing, amazing bark. Incredible."

Als this badass guitar was used in the early eighties by Roland (see it in action staring at 31:31)

In the attached video, you can see that Orzabal uses this guitar. It can also be heard on some of their new studio songs.

Nice guitar Rola... wait is that a Tokai with a matching blue headstock? (4:15)

The band Graduate formed in 1978, in Bath, England. They were only very mildly successful, and broke up by 1981 On this tv show you can see the white guitar SHERGOLD Custom Masquerader (zoom on 1:52)

The same guitar: https://www.shergold.co.uk/collection.html?detail=CustomMasquerader6_3

In an interview with Tony Bacon, Orzabal States, "On the track we're working on just now, 'Shout', I've been using someone's Gordon Smith. It's got far more guts than any of my other guitars. I may try to acquire that one". This guitar was also used by Neil Taylor to record the outro solo on their hit "Everybody Wants To Rule The World".

In the attached photo, we can see Roland Orzabal playing a Line 6 Variax 700 series guitar, in red color variant. The photo was taken in the Tears for Fears's reunion album tour period, during year 2004.

In the attached photo, Roland Orzabal is seen using a C.F. Martin & Co Ed Sheeran X Signature Edition guitar, distinguished by its black finish and white pickguard, during his 2023 performances.

Roland Orzabal has been seen using the Gibson Trini Lopez Standard Custom Reissue Electric Guitar as a backup during various shows in 2023, as evidenced by user-uploaded photos.

In much of Tears For Fear’s present day work, Roland Orzabal can be seen using the Stratocaster plus. This YouTube video of a live performance of Roland Orzabal performing live for SiriusXM has some great shots of the Stratocaster plus. Starting at 2:38 in the video, there are some great close up shots.

In this YouTube video of Tears for Fears live at Knebworth 1990, during the Seeds Of Love tour, Roland Orzabal can be seen using this Fender Stratocaster. Judging by the rosewood fingerboard and larger headstock shape, it is a mid 1970’s model. Orzabal can be seen using it all throughout the Seeds Of Love tour, and this video has the best view of it. Starting at 2:37, there are some good close up shots of the Strat.

In the YouTube video "Tears For Fears • 'Everybody Wants To Rule The World/Head Over Heels' • 1985 [RITY Archive]" by ReelinInTheYears66, Roland Orzabal is seen playing a black Yamaha SA-1000 guitar during two mimed performances of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" and "Head Over Heels" on an Australian television program. The same guitar appears again in 1986, used by keyboardist Ian Stanley in the "Mothers Talk" US Mix music video.

In a YouTube video of Tears for Fears performing a mimed version of “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” on BBC Wogan in 1985, Roland Orzabal can be seen using a Walnut Elite Fender Telecaster. Orzabal also mentioned this guitar in a 1984 interview with Tony Bacon, stating, "I've had a red Telecaster for a while, and I've just bought one of these new Elite Telecasters, a walnut and gold one. I've got what's called The Strat, too, another walnut and gold one, that's a classy looking instrument."

In the music video for the US Mix of "Mother's Talk," Roland Orzabal uses a black Schecter Custom Shop Saturn PT. This guitar appears primarily in 1986 for this music video and one mimed live performance. It is possible but unlikely that the guitar was used in the studio.

Roland Orzabal has been documented using a custom-built Gibson Trini Lopez live in 2024. This guitar is distinctive due to its Bigsby tremolo system, an older style Gibson logo, uncovered pickups, and a unique sunflower paint design, as evidenced by the image provided.

In 2024, Roland Orzabal began using the Fender Custom Shop Jerry Garcia Alligator Strat Relic in his live performances. This guitar appears to have replaced his red Stratocaster as his primary live single-coil instrument, as evidenced by the image.

In a YouTube video of a live performance in Las Vegas, Roland Orzabal is seen playing an Epiphone ES-335 Figured Limited-Edition Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar in Raspberry Burst. This guitar is distinguishable by a sunflower decal on its body. The video, titled "Tears for Fears - Say Goodbye to Mom and Dad (live in Las Vegas)" and uploaded by user closetoseven, confirms Orzabal's use of this specific guitar model during the performance on October 30, 2024.

Roland Orzabal uses an Ovation Legend model 1617-1 guitar, as well as an Ovation 12-string model 1615, a Folklore model 1614, and a Balladeer model 1612. This is supported by the image found on Equipboard.