Roland Orzabal

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 this YouTube video of a recent performance, Roland Orzabal can be seen using a Magnatone Super Fifty-Nine M80 head and cabinet combo, judging by the control layout. This amp was likely one of many different pieces of gear Orzabal purchased while off tour, and has been seen various times in the band’s recent residency performances in Las Vegas.

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.