Top 10 Iconic Blues Rock Guitars

The guitar is undoubtedly the most important element of blues rock, embodying the genre’s essence and serving as the primary medium through which artists convey their emotions. Over the decades, certain guitars have achieved legendary status, becoming almost as iconic as the musicians who played them and symbolizing the artistry and passion within the genre.

In this article, we present an exploration of the top 10 iconic guitars in blues rock, highlighting the historical significance and unique features of these extraordinary instruments. We invite you to join us in celebrating these legendary guitars and the remarkable musicians who brought them to life.

10. Polka Dot Stratocaster – Buddy Guy

Buddy Guy’s Polka Dot Stratocasters are his most recognizable guitars, reflecting his vibrant stage presence and cheerful persona. Guy began using the polka dot-finished Fender Stratocasters in the 1960s, and it quickly became one of his trademark features. 

The Polka Dot Strats’ distinctive appearance set them apart visually, while their vibrant Strat tone became a key element of Guy’s influential brand of electric blues. They remain an enduring symbol of his contributions to blues music and his charismatic personality.

9. Tiger – Jerry Garcia

Jerry Garcia’s Tiger was a custom-built guitar made by luthier Doug Irwin, used extensively from 1979 to 1989 by the leader of the Grateful Dead. Known for its intricate craftsmanship, Tiger featured a laminated walnut and maple body and custom electronics tailored to Garcia’s visceral, root-based style. It became Garcia’s primary guitar during a significant period of the Grateful Dead’s history.

Tiger’s unique design and technical innovations made it a standout instrument in Garcia’s arsenal. Its role in countless Grateful Dead performances and recordings has cemented its place in history, reflecting Garcia’s creativity and technical prowess.

8. Twang Machine – Bo Diddley

Bo Diddley’s cigar box guitars, with their rectangular bodies, became his trademark instruments. With its first model built by Diddley himself in the late ’40s, the cigar box-shaped guitars were a key element of his pioneering rock and roll sound and imagery. Twang Machine, the most famous of these guitars, was built by the Fred Gretsch guitar company at Diddley’s request, making it one of the very first collaborations between artists and guitar manufacturers.

With its unconventional shape and custom electronics setting it apart from traditional guitars of the era, Twang Machine’s unique appearance and sound were integral to Diddley’s career, remaining an iconic symbol of his contribution to blues and rock and roll.

7. Micawber – Keith Richards

Keith Richards’ Micawber, a 1953 Fender Telecaster, is a cornerstone of his distinctive sound with The Rolling Stones. Acquired in the early 1970s, Richards named it after a character from Charles Dickens’ “David Copperfield.” Known for its open G tuning and modified pickups, Micawber became Richards’ favored instrument for its rich, resonant tone.

Micawber’s unique setup, including a humbucking pickup in the neck position, contributed to Richards’ iconic riffs and rhythm playing. Its role in countless Stones recordings and live performances has made it one of the most iconic guitars in blues and rock history.

6. Ex-Sunburst – Rory Gallagher

Not officially named, Rory Gallagher’s 1961 Fender Stratocaster was his constant companion and primary weapon of choice throughout his career. Acquired in 1963 and used up until Gallagher’s final ever gig in 1995, the ex-sunburst Strat was a pivotal element in the Irish guitar icon’s raw and warm sound. Currently in possession of Gallagher’s estate, Its heavily worn appearance reflects years of intense playing and touring, representing both the guitarist’s aversion to opulence and obsessive dedication to his craft.

The Stratocaster’s combination of pickups and wiring contributed to Rory’s distinctively organic tone, which was central to his performances and recordings. Known for its reliability, versatility, and unique appearance, this guitar became an extension of Gallagher himself, inspiring countless musicians and fans worldwide and earning its place as a legendary guitar in blues rock.

5. Lucy – Albert King

Lucy was the name the legendary blues guitarist Albert King gave to a series of Gibson Flying V guitars that he used during his career. The second Lucy, particularly, became his signature instrument. Crafted by Dan Erlewine, the guitar was modelled after King’s original Gibson Flying V. Known for its sharp, piercing tone and distinctive V-shaped body, the second Lucy was central in helping King solidify his pioneering electric blues style.

King used Lucy extensively in his recordings and live performances, shaping the sound of modern blues and blues rock. The guitar’s distinctive design and association with King’s influential, unorthodox playing have made it a legendary instrument, inspiring countless blues guitarists in the following years.

4. Blackie – Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton’s Blackie is a composite Fender Stratocaster assembled from parts of three different Strats. Clapton bought Blackie in 1970, and it quickly became his primary guitar, used extensively in both studio recordings and live performances. This instrument played a crucial role in defining Clapton’s solo career smooth, blues-based soft rock style.

Blackie’s hybrid construction gave it a unique tone, blending the best elements of the three guitars it was made from. Clapton’s use of Blackie on iconic tracks such as “Cocaine” and “Wonderful Tonight” and its subsequent auction for charity at a record-breaking price has solidified its status as one of the most legendary guitars in blues rock history.

Guitar Center purchased the guitar for $959,000 at the Crossroads auction in 2004.

3. Greeny – Peter Green/Gary Moore

Greeny, a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard, was named after its first owner, the celebrated English blues rock guitarist Peter Green. Green used it during his time in the Bluesbreakers and Fleetwood Mac before selling it in the early 70s to the also iconic Gary Moore. Moore, a devout admirer of Green, used Greeny throughout most of his career and even used it to record his tribute album to Green, Blues for Greeny (1995).

The guitar’s distinctive, out-of-phase tone, achieved by reversing the magnet in the neck pickup, contributed heavily to defining both Green and Moore’s sound. Currently in possession of Metallica’s Kirk Hammett, Greeny’s journey from Peter Green to Gary Moore symbolizes a bridge between generations of influential players, cementing the guitar’s legendary status in the world of blues rock.

2. Lucille – B.B. King

B.B. King named his series of Gibson guitars Lucille after a near-death experience in a burning nightclub. This incident, caused by a fight over a woman named Lucille, led King to name his guitars as a reminder to avoid such reckless situations. The most famous of these guitars was a Gibson ES-355, which King used to craft his signature sound characterized by voice-like bends and richly expressive phrasing.

Lucille became an iconic symbol of King’s career, representing his connection to the guitar. Lucille’s semi-hollow body provided a warm, vibrant tone that was integral to King’s economical yet highly emotional playing. Over the years, Lucille’s legacy has grown, cementing its place as one of the most revered guitars in blues history, synonymous with King himself.

1. Number One – Stevie Ray Vaughan

Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Number One, also known as his First Wife, was his most cherished Fender Stratocaster. Acquired in 1973, the guitar was integral to Vaughan’s explosive blues rock sound. Most likely a 1959 model, but heavily customized throughout the years, the guitar was pivotal in the development of Vaughan’s distinctively stinging attack.

Similarly to Rory Gallagher’s Strat, Number One’s heavily worn condition reflected Vaughan’s intense, obsessive dedication. Currently in possession of Jimmie, Stevie’s brother, the guitar’s influence on blues rock is immense, as it was used on all of Vaughan’s studio albums and countless live shows, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire millions of guitarists worldwide.