Walter Becker

The guitar can be seen in Steely Dan's sixth studio album, Aja. "A 1957 Fender Duo-Sonic electric guitar which is being played by Walter Becker in a photograph used in the liner notes to the 1977 Steely Dan album Aja. The original finish has been stripped and left natural, the guitar is also equipped with a maple neck and fretboard, anodized aluminum pickguard and later 6- saddle bridge. The neck plate is impressed with the serial number -20617. Accompanied by the original hard shell case and a copy of the album." to quote the cite.

"A 1957 Gibson Les Paul Special electric guitar. An early favorite of Walter Becker’s and one of the few that hung in his studio. The solid mahogany body and neck with TV Yellow finish, equipped with a pair of P90 pickups. The headstock is stamped with the serial number 70202. Accompanied by the original hard shell case" To quote.

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"This is Walter's main guitar, it's a Sadowsky Walter Becker Signature Series. Three P90s and some tricky little electronics going on in there. The dual-positions are hum cancelling, which comes in handy because these things can create quite a bit of noise. There's a switchable EQ curve on that switch, and then it's three position pre-amp it's just like a buffer boost and then like a severe gain boost. This guitar will see action most of the night." - David Rule, Walter Becker's guitar technician.

"A 1954 Fender Stratocaster that was kept in the control room of Walter Becker’s studio, serial number 0860. The neck is inscribed with “TG-11-54,” the body has been factory-refinished, the electronics and pickguard are later." to quote the cite.

One from 2002 is featured in this Reverb.com listing.

Up for sale, a 2002 Vox AC30/6 TB tube amp in good working order, from the estate of Steely Dan's Walter Becker. Half of the nucleus that formed Steely Dan with Donald Fagen, Becker's inventive and distinctive guitar work has been widely celebrated, and this AC30 was one of his tools. Given its cosmetic wear, it's highly likely that the amp saw touring use with Steely Dan, and a unique Walter Becker Estate hangtag is included confirming the amp's provenance.

Here we can see Walter Becker performing with Steely Dan in 1973, playing a Gibson Thunderbird bass.

NOTE: It is a 1965 Thunderbird (tuning pegs), which is not exactly the item I selected.

He used during the band's Shuffle Diplomacy 2011 US tour.

He used during the band's Shuffle Diplomacy 2011 US tour.

"An early 1957 Fender Precision Bass, devoid of the updates introduced later in the model year. The present example features an early style headstock and maple neck dated 7/57, large white pickguard, single-coil pickup and string-through ash body finished in sunburst, neck plate bearing serial number 17743" to quote the cite.

He used during the band's Shuffle Diplomacy 2011 US tour.

"A 1969 Fender Custom solidbody electric guitar finished in sunburst. The pickups have been replaced with a pair of embossed Gibson humbuckers and the tuners are also later. Serial number 262166 to neck plate. Accompanied by a hard shell case" to quote the cite.

"A 1970 Les Paul Studio bass with solid ebony-lined mahogany body and neck. Dual oval low-impedence humbucking pickups, hi-lo output switch and phase switch. Headstock stamped with serial number 631205 and “MADE IN USA.” Accompanied by the potentially original hard shell case to quote the cite.

From 5:55 to 6:59 the guitar is shown, it is based of a Gibson Firebird but has the finish and binding of a Gold top Gibson Les Paul.

Echosex 2 Limited edition and Echosex 2 standard was big part of Walter's tone, they have been sold in the auction after his passing away.

"A 1974 Fender Telecaster Bass with blonde finish. Serial number 401528 to neck plate." to quote the cite

We get to see what guitars, amplifiers, and effects pedals he used during the band's Shuffle Diplomacy 2011 US tour.

He used during the band's Shuffle Diplomacy 2011 US tour.

He used during the band's Shuffle Diplomacy 2011 US tour.

He used during the band's Shuffle Diplomacy 2011 US tour.

"A Gibson Les Paul Signature goldtop bass guitar circa 1970s. Constructed with a hollow body and single low impedance super humbucker. Serial number 114377 impressed to headstock. Accompanied by a gig bag" to quote.

"A 1981 Gibson V-Bass with Silverburst finish. Headstock stamped with serial number 81621016 as well as “SECOND” and “MADE IN U.S.A.” Accompanied by the original hard shell case" to quote.

"A 1991 Gibson Flying V guitar. The originally white finish has yellowed substantially. Headstock impressed with serial number 90561706. Accompanied by the original hard shell case" to quote.

Walter Becker's Gurus Echosex 2° delay pedal was part of an auction of his effects pedals following his passing, as listed on Julienslive.

"A 1963 Fender Bass VI solidbody electric used by Walter Becker during the live solo section of “Greenbook”. The offset body has a three-color sunburst finish, three single coil pickups and a Fender Mute bridge. The 6-string bass guitar has a scale length of 30 inches, maple neck and rosewood fretboard. The neck plate is impressed with the serial number L09909." to quote the cite.

Used live, as featured on the official Satellite Amplifiers artist page.

Walter Becker of Steely Dan's live rig

Used live, as featured on the official Satellite Amplifiers artist page. It was later auctioned via Julien's.

Satellite Artist Page

Walter Becker of Steely Dan's live rig

Julien's Listing: "PROPERTY FROM THE ESTATE OF WALTER BECKER(#3244) 10/18/2019 10:00 AM PDT CLOSED! LOT909 OF 1090:WALTER BECKER STAGE USED SATELLITE OMEGA AMPLIFIER"

A Satellite Omega 50-watt amplifier used on tour by Walter Becker. The chassis is impressed with the serial number C005 and the amp is housed within a black road case.

10 by 22 1/2 by 8 1/2 inches; road case, 13 1/2 by 28 1/2 by 12 inches

PROVENANCE From the Estate of Walter Becker

One from 1968 is featured in this May 31, 2020 Premier Guitar article.

Auctioned via Julien's in 2019.

He used during the band's Shuffle Diplomacy 2011 US tour.

He used during the band's Shuffle Diplomacy 2011 US tour.