What guitar did Jimmy Page play?

Jimmy Page, the legendary guitarist of Led Zeppelin, played a variety of guitars throughout his career. Most notably he was known for playing a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard. This guitar had a sunburst finish and two PAF humbucking pickups that gave it an unmistakable sound. He also experimented with other guitars such as a 1962 Fender Telecaster and Rickenbacker 12-string models during certain performances. He used custom-made guitars like the Dragon Telecaster which featured two DiMarzio Super Distortion Humbuckers and the Double Neck Ovation twelve string/six string guitar.

The Early Years of Jimmy Page: His Initial Guitar Choices

Throughout his storied career as a renowned musician, Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin has captivated the world with his stunning guitar solos. But what guitar did Jimmy Page play in the early years before joining one of the most iconic rock bands of all time?

Jimmy Page’s foray into playing music began at age 12, when he acquired his first instrument – a Spanish acoustic guitar. From that moment on, he was hooked and never looked back. At 13, he received an electric model from his parents and immediately started experimenting by adding vibrato arm to make it louder and more versatile. With it, he explored blues-based licks on some classic recordings such as Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode” and Muddy Waters’ “Hoochie Coochie Man”.

In 1963, Page was given an Epiphone Casino semi-hollow body electric guitar by a family friend which proved to be pivotal in helping him create his unique sound. He also used this instrument to record tracks for The Yardbirds alongside Eric Clapton – laying down some of the foundations for hard rock music as we know it today. By 1965, Page had developed a fondness for Gibson Les Pauls – so much so that after joining Led Zeppelin in 1968, they became almost synonymous with each other; often seen performing live together or featured in studio recordings like their 1969 debut album ‘Led Zeppelin I’.

As we now know, Jimmy Page is considered one of the greatest guitarists ever to have lived; but what people may not realize is how far back his love affair with stringed instruments actually goes. His initial choice of guitars set him up perfectly for success later in life when the likes of Led Zeppelin took over stadiums around the globe – proving that sometimes great things can start from humble beginnings.

The Gibson Les Paul and How it Became Synonymous with Page’s Playing Style

Since the early days of his career, Jimmy Page has been closely associated with Gibson Les Paul guitars. From the mid-1960s onwards, he was seen playing a variety of these iconic instruments during his time in both The Yardbirds and Led Zeppelin. His mastery of the instrument as well as its sound helped to make it an essential part of rock music.

It’s no wonder that this guitar came to be known as ‘the Jimmy Page’ – after all, he was undoubtedly one of the most influential guitarists of all time and had a unique style that enabled him to bring out each and every nuance from the Les Paul. He made use of its many features such as tone knobs and switches, tremolo arms and pickups in order to achieve his signature sound. As a result, it became so closely associated with Page’s playing that many people now consider it synonymous with him.

Page’s affinity for Gibson also extended beyond just playing them; he even went on to become involved in their design process when working on reissues during later years. This allowed him to give fans an exact replica of what he used back in his day – right down to the smallest detail – giving them an insight into how he crafted his sound and why it continues to have such a profound influence today.

Modifications Made to His Guitars for Optimum Performance

Jimmy Page, the legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist, is renowned for his pioneering guitar sounds. To help achieve these iconic tones, Jimmy made numerous modifications to his guitars over the years – from swapping pickups to re-fretting and wiring changes.

A key element of Jimmy’s sound came from replacing some of the standard parts on his guitars with higher quality components. This included switching out stock pickups for more powerful aftermarket models, as well as upgrading caps, pots and switches. He also favored vintage Bigsby vibratos which allowed him to add tremolo effects to his solos.

To dial in an ultra-smooth fretboard feel, Jimmy would often have a luthier refinish his necks and then professionally level and re-crown the frets. While this was time consuming it helped ensure maximum sustain and comfort while playing live or recording in the studio. All these details combined meant that each guitar he played had its own distinct character and signature tone.

The Importance of Custom Shop Guitars in Jimmy Page’s Collection

Jimmy Page, legendary guitarist for the band Led Zeppelin, was well known for his creative and expressive guitar playing. In addition to the classic Gibson Les Pauls he played in the studio and on stage, Jimmy Page also had a collection of custom shop guitars that he acquired from shops around the world. These special instruments were especially suited to his individual style of playing, offering increased resonance and longer sustain than their mass-produced counterparts.

One example is his iconic Gibson Custom Shop Telecaster-style electric guitar with dual humbucker pickups – this instrument was custom built by Gibson’s luthiers to meet Jimmy’s exacting specifications. The body was made from mahogany, producing a deep bass response that complemented his famously powerful riffs and solos. Similarly, the two humbuckers gave him an extended range of tones that could be used in any musical context.

For more challenging passages or melodies where articulation needed to be precise, Page relied upon another one-off creation: His “Number One” model 12-string acoustic guitar which was crafted specifically for him at Fender’s Custom Shop facility. This handcrafted masterpiece featured intricate inlays on its neck and headstock as well as highly figured maple sides and back panels – all features designed with Jimmy Page in mind so he could produce complex chords with ease while still having ample power when soloing or jamming out with the band onstage.

Rare, Unique and Iconic Guitars that Contributed to the Sound of Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin’s sound was unique and captivating, with some of the most iconic guitar playing from Jimmy Page. During his time with Led Zeppelin, Page played an impressive range of guitars that contribute to their signature sound. While perhaps best known for using a Gibson Les Paul in many of the band’s songs, there are other rarer instruments that served as an integral part of his musical style.

The 12-string Danelectro used during performances on BBC Sessions is certainly one of these more memorable guitars. With its bright tone and jangly resonance providing a backdrop to some of their most beloved tracks like “Dazed and Confused” and “Whole Lotta Love”, this was a go-to instrument for Page. The green color added a unique aesthetic appeal too.

Similarly, two very special guitars provided by Bigsby were also utilised throughout Led Zeppelin’s history: the Telecaster EDS-1275 (with six strings) and Double Neck (with twelve strings). Their use showcased just how creative Page could be as he pulled out unexpected sounds from these unusual models – none more so than on Stairway to Heaven where both neck configurations can be heard at different points during the song’s lengthy development. His ‘mirror guitar’ (made up of two Fender Stratocasters facing opposite directions) became iconic over time due to its eye-catching design and remarkable sonic output when combined with a wah pedal.

By relying on vintage gear such as these distinctive instruments, Jimmy Page was able to carve out a truly iconic sound in rock music that will never be forgotten – one which continues to influence new generations even today.