Townes Van Zandt's Gear

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At :14s of this video you make out that Townes is playing a D-18.

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In this performance of Mr. Mudd and Mr. Gold from the Townes Van Zandt documentary Be Here to Love Me, Townes can be seen playing an Epiphone EJ-200. Townes played this guitar from approximately 1977-1983. According to Steve Earle, Townes "Hated (this guitar) so much he shot it full of holes." (http://pnwpest.org/coopl/tvzfaq.html#19)

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In the video footage from "Heartworn Highways" Townes plays a red Gibson J-45 without a pickguard. The Townes Van Zandt email list notes that this guitar was loaned to him by a friend. (http://uspest.org/coopl/tvzfaq.html#19)

There is some speculation that this guitar is actually a smaller B-25, though the double rosette around the soundhole would seem to indicate that it is a J-45 from ~1963 or later. (https://forum.gibson.com/topic/16385-gibsons-in-heartworn-highways/)

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In this video from Austin, TX public access television Townes can be seen playing the SJ-200 that was his primary guitar from 1991 until his death on January 1, 1997.

The FAQ on the Townes Van Zandt fansite Blue Sky mentions that this guitar was acquired through an endroement deal with Gibson. It had a spruce top, maple back and sides, and a maple neck. According to Gibson luthier Chip Phillips, "Every time I saw him since he got that guitar, he was very appreciative. Townes wasn't a materialistic person, but you'd have had a hard time prying that guitar away from him. It was his pride and joy." (http://pnwpest.org/coopl/tvzfaq.html#19)

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In this photo, you see Townes Van Zandt holding Martin D-35

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This is a community-built gear list for Townes Van Zandt.

  • Find relevant music gear like Microphones, Guitars, Amplifiers, Effects Pedals, and other instruments and add it to Townes Van Zandt.
  • The best places to look for gear usage are typically on the artist's social media, YouTube, live performance images, and interviews.
  • To receive email updates when Townes Van Zandt is seen with new gear, follow the artist.

Discography

Album Credits

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