George Harrison played a variety of guitars throughout his career, each contributing to his distinctive sound and style. Here are some notable guitars associated with George Harrison:
Rickenbacker 360/12:
Harrison’s iconic 12-string electric guitar, which he used extensively in the early years of the Beatles.
Gretsch Duo Jet:
A black Gretsch Duo Jet that Harrison used during the Beatles’ early years, notably on songs like “I Saw Her Standing There.”
Gibson SG:
Harrison played a Gibson SG during the Beatles’ performances on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964.
Gibson J-160E:
A Gibson acoustic-electric guitar that became synonymous with Harrison’s early sound, particularly on songs like “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown).”
Fender Stratocaster:
Harrison occasionally played a Fender Stratocaster, most notably on his solo in the song “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”
Fender Telecaster:
Harrison played a Fender Telecaster on various recordings and live performances, including the famous rooftop concert for the film “Let It Be.”
Gibson Les Paul:
Harrison used a Gibson Les Paul on the song “Taxman” and occasionally during his solo career.
Gibson ES-335:
Harrison played a Gibson ES-335 on various Beatles recordings, including “And Your Bird Can Sing” and “Nowhere Man.”
Martin D-28:
A Martin D-28 acoustic guitar that Harrison played during the “Let It Be” sessions and subsequent performances.
Fender Rosewood Telecaster:
- Harrison’s custom-made Fender Rosewood Telecaster, often referred to as the “Rocky” or “Rosewood” Telecaster, used during the final years of the Beatles and on his solo albums.
These guitars played a significant role in shaping George Harrison’s unique sound and contributed to the rich musical legacy he left behind. Each instrument holds its own place in the history of rock music and continues to be associated with Harrison’s influential contributions.
17 Songs written by George Harrison during his time with the Beatles
Where did you find such information? Did you just make this stuff up?
-George used his Gretsch Country Gentleman guitar exclusively during the ’64 Sullivan shows. He didn’t use an SG until mid-1965, and only then for a short period.
-George played sitar and 12-string acoustic guitar on “Norwegian Wood.” NOT the J-160E.
-Eric Clapton played the solo in “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” George played acoustic guitar and Hammond organ.
-The caption doesn’t fit the photo: it’s not a Martin D28.
-“Rocky” was the nickname of his psychedelic Stratocaster, not the rosewood Telecaster. “Rocky” is even written on the Strat.
I’m unsure about some of your other “facts,” but I don’t trust any of them. Did you do a 10-minute Google search to fact-check anything? Apparently not.
The Rose wood Telecaster was even called by Grorge in a Rolling Stone Magazine interview ” the worst guitar I have ever played”. The Rose wood Telecaster did not appear on any Beatle song as George rerecorded the Roof top songs with his absolute favourite guitar from 1956 untill he died : The Fender Stratocaster.
George Harrison is considered the biggest fan of the Fender Stratocaster of all musicians.
The Gibson ES model Harrison played was an ES-345, not an ES-335.
George Harrison used his Fender Stratocaster on 90 to 95 % of the Beatles songs after he got his belowed Stratocaster in December 1964. He tried to buy a Fender Stratocaster in 1956 but because of a US embargo there was not one Fender Stratocaster available in the whole Liverpool area. So a very dissapointed George Harrison who had been sitting for hours every day painting Stratocasters in school instead of listening to the teacher had to settle for a Chech Stratocaster copy. He continued to try to find a Fender Stratocaster the years 1957 to 1963 but They were impossible to find in England at that time. He could not find Then in Hamburg Either. Even a tripp to see his sister in 1963 in US was unsucessfull as her city did not have Fender guitars. Finally in December 1964 he got hold of his belowed Fender Stratocaster and used it almost exclusively for the rest of his life for recording electric guitars. The reason you did not see the Beatles with Stratocasters in concerts or videos is because Fender tried to bribe Brian Epstein in February 1964. Brian Epstein forbid the Beatles to use Stratocasters in public. He allowed George Harrison to use the Fender Stratocaster as much as he wanted in the studio though, snd George certsinly did that. Almost every song from 1964 and forwards is recorded with a Fender Stratocaster in George Harrisons case.
When he died They accounted he owned 350 Fender Stratocasters he had bought on his own because as a Beatle he could not do commercial.
George Harrison is considered the biggest fan of the Fender Stratocaster of all musicians.
The other Fender guitar the Telecaster George Harrison played once in his life for a week in January 1969 before throwing it out the studio. George Harrison called the Fender Rose wood Telecaster ” The worst guitar I have ever played ” in a Rolling Stone Magazine and quickly face it away to Delany Bramlet so he never had to see it again. Not only played George Harrison only one Fender Telecaster in his life for a week, he rerecorded the roof top songs on Let it be with his Fender Stratocaster. So the Fender Rose wood Telecaster never appeared on any Beatles song.
Why so little mention of his Gretsch country gentleman???