Instruments played by the Rolling Stones

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The

, the group took influences from the Blues, rock'n'roll and R&B. Most of their recordings feature a core of drums, bass, two guitars and a lead vocal, though there have been numerous variations on this in the studio.

Keith Richards

Keith Richards used a Harmony H72 Meteor on early tours, before switching to an Epiphone Casino. After the Stones became successful in the US, Richards acquired a Gibson Firebird and a 1959 Les Paul with a Bigsby Vibrato system. He used this Les Paul live, switching to a Custom model in 1966.^{[citation needed]} Richards' use of the Les Paul in a British rock band helped popularise the model and ultimately lead to production resuming.^[1]

In the late 1960s, Richards played a three pickup Les Paul Custom and began to use

.

From 1970 onwards, Richards began using Telecasters as his main onstage guitar. His favourite model is nicknamed "Micawber" which he received on his 27th birthday (18 December) as a gift from

.

Brian Jones

Guitars

Brian Jones used a Harmony Stratotone in the early days of the Stones playing the Blues clubs, replacing it with a Gretsch Double anniversary in two tone green. He used this up until 1965 when he switched to a Vox Prototype Mark IV or "Teardrop" guitar, which is the guitar he is most commonly associated with. He also used a Gibson Firebird, a Gretsch White Falcon, Les Paul, Rickenbacker 360/12 and a Telecaster.

Other instruments

Jones played the harmonica in the group's early days, and doubled on piano and slide guitar. He played a variety of other instruments, particularly in the studio, including sitar on "

".

Jones played the Mellotron on several Stones tracks, including the single "We Love You" and the albums Their Satanic Majesties Request and Beggars Banquet. On his final recordings for the Stones he used an autoharp on "You've Got The Silver".^[3]

In the group's early career, Jones sang backing vocals before Richards primarily took over that role.

Mick Taylor

Mick Taylor used a Gibson SG for the 1969 Hyde Park gig and the US tour late that year. For most of his time with the Stones, he used a sunburst Les Paul.^[1]

Bill Wyman

"Teardrop" bass in 1964. From 1967 onward, he alternated between Fender Mustang and Dan Armstrong basses.

Charlie Watts

Charlie Watts' background is in jazz drumming, and his kit reflects this style. Throughout his career he has used a Gretsch 1956-7 Round Badge kit with a 22" Bass Drum, 16" Floor Tom, 12" Tom and a 5-by-14-inch snare. He has used a variety of cymbals, including an 18" UFIP Natural Series Fast China, a UFIP Rough Series China with rivets, a very old UFIP Flat Ride and an Avedis Zildjian Swish.

References

Citations

Further reading