Thurston Moore

In this photo, Thurston Moore can be seen playing a Fender Jaguar.

In this photo, Thurston Moore can be seen playing Fender Jazzmaster. This website says, about it, "Used by Thurston: 1999-2009 1999 -- CGDGBB (Free City Rhymes, Renegade Princess) 2000 -- CGDGBB (Free City Rhymes, Renegade Princess, Sunday, Hoarfrost, Ineffable Me) 2001 -- CGDGBB (Free City Rhymes, Hoarfrost) + CGDGCD (Sympathy for the Strawberry, The Empty Page, Disconnection Notice, Karen Revisited, Rain on Tin) 2002 -- CGDGCD (The Empty Page, Disconnection Notice, Karen Revisited, Rain on Tin, Plastic Sun, Radical Adults Lick Godhead Style) 2003 -- CGDGCD (The Empty Page, Disconnection Notice, Karen Revisited, Rain on Tin, Plastic Sun, Radical Adults Lick Godhead Style, Mariah Carey..., Peace Attack) 2004 -- CGDGCD (The Empty Page, Disconnection Notice, Karen Revisited, Rain on Tin, Mariah Carey..., Unmade Bed, Dripping Dream, Stones, New Hampshire, Peace Attack) 2005 -- CGDGCD (The Empty Page, Disconnection Notice, Karen Revisited, Rain on Tin, Mariah Carey..., Unmade Bed, Dripping Dream, Stones, New Hampshire, Peace Attack) & also DD#A#D#GG for new early 'Ripped' sets 2006 -- CGDGCD (Reena, What a Waste, Turquoise Boy, Lights Out, The Neutral, Stones, Sunday) 2007 -- CGDGCD (Reena, What a Waste, Turquoise Boy, Lights Out, The Neutral, Stones, The Empty Page) 2008 -- CGDGCD (Reena) 2009 -- CGDGCD (What We Know, Malibu Gas Station, Thunderclap) NOTES:

New Jazzmaster used as a replacement after the gear theft in July 1999. Black body 2 soapbars Rosewood fretboard Tortoise shell pickguard 1 toggle switch 1 knob (tone removed) Switches removed Trem bar Listed as "BLACK" or "BL.JZ" on 2000 set lists. Listed as "black jazz" on 2002 set lists. Absolutely covered in stickers Gauges for CGDGCD: .052 .042 .026 .017 .014 .014"

Also, Eric Baecht, guitar tech for Thurston Moore, said:

"The black Jazzmaster is a '61 and has been around since about '99 and is Thurston's main axe for Sonic and side projects. It goes where he goes, and is subject to all manner of abuse (files, knitting needles, etc.) so if I haven't seen it for a while, it's often a bit "broken." When we start a Sonic tour, I usually need to give it some special attention to get it show- worthy again."

In Premier Guitar's 2017 interview, Moore briefly discusses the 1961 Jazzmaster.

Yeah, being born in ’58, I was born the year Jazzmaster was born. Sometimes I get the guitars mixed up. I was talking to the Sonic Youth guitar techs who really look at the guitars. I think the history is, the gold Jazzmaster is a guitar that was given to me via Patti Smith after Sonic Youth got its equipment notoriously ripped off in California [in 1999]. The Patti Smith Group had their equipment ripped off at some point in the ’70s, so she was very understanding of the grief we were going through. She was doing a show in Northampton, Massachusetts, with her group and staying at our house. She said, “I know what it’s like. I want you to have one of our guitars.” I said, “You don’t have to do that.” She told her guitar tech, “Go get that guitar.” It was that gold Jazzmaster, and I was like, “This is really sweet.” I held onto it for a long time. I remember telling Tom Verlaine that she gifted me this guitar. He’s like, “I can’t believe she gave you that gold Jazzmaster.”

At 0:59 in this live performance of "Antenna", there is a clear shot of Thurston using his signature green Fender Jazzmaster with black pickguard and white pickups.

In this photo, Thurston Moore can be seen playing a Fender Mustang. On this website, it is said:

"Used by Thurston: 1988 1988 -- GABDEG?? NOTES:

A sunburst Mustang almost identical to Lee's that Thurston apparently used for a while in 1988. He can be seen using it at a photograph from the Roxy in November 1988, and it's on display (with the other sunburst Mustang) in the "Put Blood in the Music" documentary. I suspect it may have been in GABDEG... Sunburst body 2 black single coils Rosewood fretboard Pearl pickguard"

In this photo, Thurston Moore can be seen with a Gibson Marauder. On this site, about this Marauder, it is said:

"Used by Lee/Thurston: 1985-1986 1985 -- F#F#F#F#EB (?? - Lee) & EG#EG#EG# (Expressway - THURSTON) 1986 -- EG#EG#EG# (Expressway - THURSTON) NOTES:

I'd originally thought this was just Thurston's 'Expressway' guitar, but apparently Lee used it on the April '85 tour of Europe, and probably traded it over to Thurston around the time 'Expressway' was written in June. It was stolen just before the 11/22/86 show in NYC. In September 2006, the original 'Expressway' guitar mysteriously reappeared in the hands of a Sonic tech -- completely stripped and beaten up. Yellow body Humbucker in neck, slanted single coil in bridge Rosewood fretboard 1 toggle switch 2 knobs"

This page of Sonic Youth's website says, about Thurston Moore's Epiphone Gensis:

"Used by Thurston: 1990 1990 -- CCEBGD (Cross the Breeze) NOTES:

This guitar was played live in early 1990 by Thurston, and was later used by Lee in the "Dirty Boots" video. I'm told it was a deluxe version of the Genesis line. Black mahogany body w/ white trim 2 humbuckers Rosewood fretboard 2 knobs Gold hardware"

According to the Sonic Youth website it is said:

Used by Thurston: 1983 198? -- ? (?) 1983 -- ? (Burning Spear) NOTES:

One of Thurston's earliest guitars, check out the picture of him with a non-SY band, playing it in standard tuning. It was later mounted on the wall above the toilet in Lee's Tribeca loft circa 1991. Featured on the cover of the August 1991 Guitar Player. This guitar is touring with the Sensational Fix exhibit. Sunburst body 2 single coils Rosewood fretboard All knobs removed Nail for strap button White pickguard partially coloured blue Drumstick duct taped in place for bridge Tons of X crosses scratched in body

Thurston is playing a white three single coil stratocaster in this picture, the neck pickup appears to be swapped for an SD cool rail pickup

According to the Sonic Youth website it is said:

Used by Thurston: 1999-2001 1999 -- F#F#F#F#EB (She is Not Alone) 2000 -- GABDEG (Teenage Riot, Small Flowers Crack Concrete) 2001 -- GABDEG (Teenage Riot, Small Flowers Crack Concrete) NOTES:

Purchased directly after their gear theft, in Austin, July '99. Black body 2 pickups Rosewood fretboard 3 knobs Listed as "GABDEG" or "DEARMOND" on 2000 set lists.

In the featured picture, you can see the jag being used by Kim. This was Thurston's main Jaguar, and his main ACCGG#C guitar during the 90s. This guitar was not stolen, and was actually brought along for the 2000 tour, but not used. Kim began using the guitar around 2004, initially as slide guitar for "Mariah" then standard tuned for the revival of 'Shaking Hell'

Sonic Youth's website provides this photo of the Univox Lucy used by Thurston Moore, and states:

"Used by Thurston and Lee: 1986-1988 *1986 -- ? (possibly standard) * 1987 -- EG#EG#EG# (Expressway, PCH) - THURSTON * 1988 -- GGDDGG? (Eliminator Jr) - LEE

NOTES : * A Univox copy of the Dan Armstrong Plexiglas model. I know he used this as a replacement EG# after the Marauder was stolen in November '86. However, there's a pic of him playing this on the November '86 tour, possibly in standard for the encore of "The Red and the Black" with fIREHOSE? * Apparently Lee began using this in '88 for "Eliminator Jr": see this vid. * See-through plexiglas body * 2 humbuckers (?) * Rosewood fretboard

According to the Sonic Youth website it is said:

Used by Thurston: 1983-1999 198? -- ? (She's in a Bad Mood) 1983 -- ? (Burning Spear) 1985 -- ? (Burning Spear) 1986 -- CCD#D# (Marilyn Moore) 1988 -- BBF#F# (Eric's Trip) 1989 -- BBF#F# (Eric's Trip) 1990 -- BBF#F# (Eric's Trip) 1991 -- BBF#F# (Eric's Trip) 1992 -- BBF#F# (Eric's Trip) 1993 -- BBF#F# (Eric's Trip) 1995 -- BBF#F# (Eric's Trip) 1996 -- BBF#F# (Eric's Trip) 1999 -- BBF#F# (Eric's Trip) NOTES:

The guitar was originally owned by a friend of the Coachmen, Thurston's pre-SY band. When Thurston was first invited back to Kim's apartment, shortly after meeting her, he was surprised to find this guitar in her possession. The Drifter was in Sonic Youth's arsenal for nearly 20 years. Originally a cheap 6-string, in the mid 80s the frets were torn out and the guitar was strung up with bass strings and from 1988 on it was used exclusively by Thurston on Eric's Trip up until July 4th, 1999, when the guitar was stolen in California. Gauges: .056 .056 x x .042 .042 Black Les Paul style body Originally played as a 6-string, typically with a cowbell for "She's in a Bad Mood" (see "SONIC DEATH" liners) or drumsticks for "Burning Spear". The guitar appears to have been converted to a 4-string towards the end of 1985, as it was used by Thurston on 'Marilyn Moore' in the tuning CCD#D# (with the low Cs in unison, equal to the third fret of a standard A string, and the adjacent D# tuned one and a half steps above, and the other D# tuned an octave below, one half step below a standard low E). It also has a notation on it that says "Lee F#A" so it's possible Lee used this in some kind of F#F#AA 4-string tuning at some point, as well, more likely for a solo experiment. All frets removed in mid 80s Strung up with 4 bass strings in mid 80s 2 E tuners removed 2 drumsticks used for "Eric's Trip" typically wedged under strings "SONIC" sticker on headstock Sticker w/ Elvis on a U.S.A. flag Dayglo Tiger sticker (?), similar to Kimberly guitar Confusion is Sex sticker Large white square sticker, unsure of details Silver single coil pick-ups taped in All knobs taped over with duct tape Rosewood fretboard Listed as "DRIFT" on 1995 set lists.

Thurston moore is seen in the video talking about and showing off the Moonlander

According to the Sonic Youth website it is said:

Used by Thurston: 1987-1988 1987 -- F#F#GGAA (Schizophrenia, Tom Violence, White Kross) 1988 -- D#D#AAEE (Rain King) NOTES:

Black body 2 black single coils, 1 humbucker Rosewood fretboard White pickguard 1 slider 2 knobs 1 unknown square sticker

This page says, about Thurston Moore's Firebird:

"Used by Thurston/Jim: 1990-2003 1990 -- EADGBE (Mildred Pierce -- THURSTON) 2002 -- GGDDD#D# (Bull in the Heather, Karen Revisited, Mote, Radical Adults Lick Godhead Style, She is Not Alone, Making the Nature Scene, 100% -- JIM) also w/ capo 2 for "Candle" & Silver Rocket ..... F#F#C#C#DD for White Kross/Tom Violence 2003 -- GGDDD#D# (Schizophenia, Radical Adults, Skip Tracer, Nature Scene, Kill Yr Idols, Brother James, Bull in the Heather, White Kross, 100%, Mote -- JIM) maybe alt F# tuning for Skip, White X, 100%./.. NOTES:

Used more often in videos than live, it was used briefly in August 1990 during 2 performances of "Mildred Pierce". Jim dug it out of the studio 12 years later for use at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival! This was Jim's primary guitar for non-Murray Street songs (except GODHEAD which is in GDD#) on the Murray tour. For "White Kross" and "Tom Violence" he tuned it down a half-step to be in F# like Lee and Thurston. Sunburst body 2 pickups, bridge PU hollowed out Rosewood fretboard 1 toggle switch 4 knobs White pickguard Listed as "firebird" on 2002 set lists. Played by Thurston in videos for 'Macbeth' 'Mildred Pierce' 'Cinderella's Big Score' '100%' & 'Bull in the Heather'"

Thurston Moore's solo acoustic set at Élysée-Montmartre, Paris, France, opening for Dinosaur Jr. on 10/31/2016

In this video, Thurston Moore plays a Fender Electric XII 12-String Guitar during a performance with Debbie Googe for Dan Graham's 'Rock 'n' Roll'.

"This guitar was reportedly borrowed for use on SY's July 18th 2000 appearance on 'Late Night with Conan O'Brien', performing 'Nevermind'. Supposedly Thurston's maroon Les Paul was unavailable so they rented a "real" Les Paul -- which Thurston liked so much, he purchased a new Les Paul for himself for the west coast July 2000 tour. However, the matching 'Terrence & Philip' stickers on Lee and Thurston's guitars for this performance are curious..." - Chris Lawrence.

According to this website, Thurston Moore used this Gibson Sonex 180, and it reads:

"Used by Thurston: 2002-2009 2002 -- BBxxF#F# (Eric's Trip) 2003 -- BBxxF#F# (Eric's Trip) 2004 -- BBxxF#F# (Eric's Trip) 2005 -- BBxxF#F# (Eric's Trip) 2006 -- BBxxF#F# (Eric's Trip) 2007 -- BBxxF#F# (Eric's Trip) 2008 -- BBxxF#F# (Eric's Trip) 2009 -- BBxxF#F# (Eric's Trip) NOTES:

When the original Drifter was stolen in July 1999, it looked like "Eric's Trip" (a song that relied heavily on the Drifter's unique set up) may never be played again. Three years later, however, Sonic Tech Eric Baecht designed a "new Drifter" from a guitar he'd had lying around for years, allowing SY to once again perform Eric's Trip on the Murray Street tour. It appears to be a heavily modified Gibson Sonex. It's tuned identically, with the Bs lower than the F#s. One humbucker Hair Police sticker Jim O'Rourke sticker Listed as 'drifter' on 2002 set lists. GAUGES: .052 .052 .042 .042"

According to the Sonic Youth website it is said:

Used by Thurston/Kim: 1989-2007 1989 -- GABDEG (Teenage Riot, Hey Joni - THURSTON) 1992 -- DEGDBB (Swimsuit Issue - KIM) 1995 -- DADABB (Junkie's Promise - THURSTON) 1996 -- DADABB (Junkie's Promise - THURSTON) 1999 -- DADABB (Nevermind, Small Flowers Crack Concrete - KIM) 2000 -- DADABB (Nevermind, Small Flowers Crack Concrete - KIM) 2001 -- DADABB (Nevermind, Small Flowers Crack Concrete, The Empty Page, Karen Revisited, Disconnection Notice - KIM) 2002 -- DADABB (Nevermind, The Empty Page, Karen Revisited, Disconnection Notice - KIM) 2003 -- DADABB (The Empty Page, Karenology, Disconnection Notice - KIM) 2004 -- DADABB (The Empty Page, Karenology, New Hampshire - KIM) 2005 -- DADABB (The Empty Page, Disconnection Notice, Karenology, New Hampshire - KIM) 2006 -- DADABB (Rats - KIM) 2007 -- DADABB (The Empty Page, Rats - KIM) NOTES:

This odd East German guitar was purchased in L.A. by Kim in the mid-80s. Thurston used it live on occasion from '89-'96, but Kim used it to record her guitar parts on "Dirty" (and was using it for her part on 'Swimsuit Issue' live before obtaining the Les Paul). After the July '99 gear theft, she returned to this guitar for the recording of "nyc ghosts & flowers" and has used it on each album since (except possibly 'The Eternal'). This was probably used on some of the Free Kitten records as well. Here's a little info on this brand of guitar: Musima Eterna Black body 3 single coils Rosewood fretboard Tons of switches 2 knobs, probably more Small rectangular sticker Listed as "DDR" on '95 set lists. Listed as "ETERNA" on 2000 set lists. Listed as "eterna" on 2002 set lists.

In this live performance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEwQrvOCy3o&ab_channel=DougAitken Thurston Moore can be seen playing a Danelectro Silvertone 1452 Hornet

On the Sonic Youth website, attached are photos of the Ibanez Roadstar used by Moore, more specifically, the RG200.

I am pretty sure that it was Lee Ronaldo using this guitar more than Thurston but in this picture Thurston Moore is using the Gibson rd. Thurston used it in the late 90s and maybe the early 2000s.

Used by Thurston in "Sugar Kane" video, no other known appearances. Auctioned in October 2018 on Reverb. Sunburst body 2 single coils Rosewood fretboard Trem bar

Used by Thurston: 1985

1985 -- F#F#F#F#EB (Brave Men Run, Death Valley '69, World Looks Red) NOTES:

I've only ever seen Thurston use this at the 10/10/85 Bremen show. It seemed to replace the blue Jazzmaster for the F# songs -- possibly because they'd moved "Brave Men"/"Death Valley" into the encore and it was easier to use a different guitar than try to tune the blue Jazz after the drumstick abuse it received during "I Love Her All The Time" and "Ghost Bitch" in the main set. I suspect that they may have covered it in duct tape (?) as a sunburst finish can be seen peeking through this guitar's odd coat. It appears to be very similar to a Teisco ET-220.

This guitar was reportedly borrowed for use on SY's July 18th 2000 appearance on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien", performing Nevermind. Supposedly Thurston's maroon Les Paul was unavailable so they rented a "real" Les Paul -- which Thurston liked so much, he purchased a new Les Paul for himself for the west coast July 2000 tour. However, the matching "Terrence & Philip" stickers on Lee and Thurston's guitars for this performance are curious...

Thurston Moore used a Gibson Les Paul Special, which was purchased immediately after a gear theft in July 1999. Initially played by Kim during the remaining July gigs, this guitar was subsequently used by Thurston during the songwriting process for "NYC Ghosts & Flowers." Although he replaced it with a "real" Les Paul in July 2000, he seemed to continue using the Maroon one. It was later used by Lee in 2004 and was still part of Lee's reserve guitars at the 07/28/09 show, with GGCGCD noted on the back of the headstock. This guitar resurfaced as Lee's screwdriver guitar during their final gigs in 2011, as evidenced by the source image provided on Equipboard.

Used briefly by Lee in '87, this guitar appeared again, this time played by Thurston, in the "Dirty Boots" video. It can also be seen on the back cover of "Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star". If you watch the clips from the 11/03/88 Toronto show here you can see Thurston is using this guitar, presumably for "Silver Rocket"?

A 1960s Fender Mustang guitar modified by Thurston Moore, as seen in the photo.

This is an iconic shot of Thurston Moore playing is his triple-pickup equipped Fender Mustang, which he used extensively from 1987 up until it was stolen in the summer of 1999. As like most Sonic Youth guitars, this one has been modified extensively and boasts a triple pickup configuration (much like a Stratocaster). Confoundingly, in many photographs, it features the earlier pre-CBS 'spaghetti' Fender logo, which was never present on Mustang models at the time. This is likely a replacement, however, as the 'contour offset body' decal is present and the neck size/headstock shape are correct for an earlier 1960's Fender Mustang.