Roy Buchanan

He wore his Tele high, used light gauge Fender Rock and Roll strings, and would only change them “when they break.”

He can be seen using a Vibrolux Reverb from around 1:15 to 1:30.

At 0:23, Roy Buchanan can be seen playing a Fender Telecaster, from 1953, and nicknamed "Nancy," according to his website.

Early in 1979, Buchanan switched to a Fender Stratocaster for a few years. He vacillated between guitars until 1985, when he permanently retired his ’53 in favor of a 1983 Tele loaded with Bill Lawrence pickups and a Gibson 30th Anniversary Les Paul goldtop. During this period Buchanan explored a variety of amplifiers, including Peaveys, Mesa/ Boogies, and Marshalls, before eventually settling on a Roland JC-120. He also began experimenting with a Boss DD-2 delay pedal.

While hanging out with a band called The Sidekicks, guitarist Mike Burke and I would visit Roy when he played at another club in Wildwood. The three of us would play instrumentals like “Honky Tonk,” by Bill Doggett and Billy Butler. I usually used Roy’s ’53 Telecaster and his 4 X 10 Fender Bassman amp. After ’66 I was touring and was usually out of town when Roy was playing. I’d hear stories from friends about some new technique Roy was doing, and I missed seeing him. When I’d see Roy at jam sessions, I’d sit with his wife, Judy, and his kids. We’ve been friends since those days. Roy was a guitar hero in Southern Jersey and is the reason many of my old guitar buddies play a Telecaster today.

Buchanan achieved his sound through minimum means. He played the Telecaster through a Fender Vibrolux amplifier with the volume and tone "full out," and used the guitar's volume and tone controls to control volume and sound (he achieved a wah wah effect using the tone control). To achieve his desired distorted sounds, Buchanan at one point used a razor blade to slit the paper cones of the speakers in his amp, an approach also employed by the Kinks' Dave Davies. Buchanan rarely used effects pedals, though he started using an Echoplex on A Street Called Straight (1976). In his later career he played with a Boss DD-2 delay.

Early in 1979, Buchanan switched to a Fender Stratocaster for a few years. He vacillated between guitars until 1985, when he permanently retired his ’53 in favor of a 1983 Tele loaded with Bill Lawrence pickups and a Gibson 30th Anniversary Les Paul goldtop. During this period Buchanan explored a variety of amplifiers, including Peaveys, Mesa/ Boogies, and Marshalls, before eventually settling on a Roland JC-120. He also began experimenting with a Boss DD-2 delay pedal.

Buchanan achieved his sound through minimum means. He played the Telecaster through a Fender Vibrolux amplifier with the volume and tone "full out," and used the guitar's volume and tone controls to control volume and sound15.[5][12] To achieve his desired distorted sounds, Buchanan at one point used a razor blade to slit the paper cones of the speakers in his amp, an approach also employed by the Kinks' Dave Davies. Buchanan rarely used effects pedals, though he started using an Echoplex on A Street Called Straight (1976).[5] In his later career he played with a Boss DD-2 delay.[12]

In the YouTube video "ROY BUCHANAN - The Last Session And Outtakes - 1988 [RAW UNCUT VERSION]," Roy Buchanan praises the Roy Buchanan Bluesmaster, describing it as the best guitar he has ever played. He highlights its unique ability to combine the sounds of a Stratocaster, Les Paul, and Telecaster into one instrument.

Early in 1979, Buchanan switched to a Fender Stratocaster for a few years.

A very young Roy performing on a Gibson L-5 with Mickey Rooney clowning.

A young Leroy Buchanan with Mickey Rooney, ca. 1956 (making him 17 years old in this shot). Taken from Phil Carson’s Roy-biography called “American Axe”.

Some photos from the 1980s show Buchanan wearing an Ace strap, among them this March 8, 1985 onstage photo by Paul Natkin and this April 15, 1985 photo by Natkin from the photo shoot for the photoshoot for the cover of When a Guitar Plays the Blues.

Renowned guitarist Roy Buchanan is confirmed to use Bill Lawrence Black Label T1 pickups in the neck position and T2 pickups in the bridge position, as documented by Bill Lawrence USA.

Roy Buchanan is confirmed to use Bill Lawrence Black Label T1 pickups in the neck position and T2 pickups in the bridge position, as documented by Bill Lawrence USA.