Jimi Hendrix's Guitars, Amps, Effects, And Gear - Comprehensive List

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Jimi Hendrix BornNovember 27, 1942DiedSeptember 18, 1970 (aged 27)Years Active1962–1970Genre(s)Rock, Psychedelia, Blues, R&BBandsThe Jimi Hendrix Experience, Band of GypsysMain Guitar(s)Fender Stratocaster (various) Explore gear from other popular guitarists Browse Guitarists Browse guitars by brand and model, and find out which artists play them. Browse Guitars

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Jimi Hendrix's Gear Collection

Jimi Hendrix used mostly mid-60s Fender Stratocasters, usually finished in either sunburst or white. He played them flipped for left-handed use but didn’t modify them much, if at all. When a guitar got destroyed or lost, he just picked up another one. The Strat he’s most often associated with is a 1968 Olympic White model, which he used at Woodstock in August 1969.

Earlier on, around 1966 to 1968, he played a number of different Strats - again, mostly white or sunburst models from the early to mid-60s. His amp setup at the time was a Marshall JTM 45/100 with 4x12 cabs, and the main effects were a Fuzz Face, a Vox wah, and later on, a Uni-Vibe, which he started using more often in 1969.

For a full list of Jimi Hendrix’s gear, including every known Fender and Gibson guitar, every effect pedal and amp, check out the full breakdown on this page.

Electric Guitars Acoustic Guitars Amps Effects Strings Accessories

Jimi Hendrix's Electric Guitars

1968 Fender Stratocaster (Woodstock)

Check price on Model/Year: 1968 Fender Stratocaster Serial No.: 240981 Acquired: Late 1968 Nickname: Izabella Notes: Played at Woodstock in August 1969.

One of Jimi's most famous guitars, used at the Woodstock Festival on August 18, 1969. Hendrix likely began using this guitar around late October or early November 1968. He continued using it throughout the 1969 North American tour, alternating between this white Strat, a black Strat, and occasionally some Gibson guitars.

In 1970, he gave the guitar to his drummer, Mitch Mitchell. From then on, it changed hands a few times before being acquired by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, who established MoPOP in Seattle, where the guitar is now housed.

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1968 Fender Stratocaster "Black Beauty"

Check price on Model/Year: 1968 Fender Stratocaster Serial No.: 222625 Acquired: Late 1968 Nickname: Black Beauty Notes: Jimi's favorite guitar, and the one he was last photographed holding/playing.

This Fender Stratocaster, known as "Black Beauty," was Jimi’s favorite guitar and the last one he was seen holding in photos taken by his girlfriend, Monika Dannemann, the day before his death. Hendrix began using the guitar in mid-October 1968, alongside the white "Woodstock" Strat, and continued using it until his death in 1970. The guitar stayed with Monika until her passing in 1996, then reportedly went to Uli Jon Roth of the Scorpions, whom she had married. It is unfortunately kept from public view almost entirely.

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1964 Fender Stratocaster (Linda)

Check price on Model/Year: 1964 Fender Stratocaster Acquired: Mid 1966 Nickname: Linda Notes: The only guitar Jimi brought to the UK in Sept 1966. Given to him by Linda Keith, Keith Richard's girlfriend.

This 1964 Fender Stratocaster was the only guitar Jimi brought with him when he traveled to the UK in September 1966. Since he hadn’t secured a work permit in advance, it’s believed that someone else - possibly Chas Chandler - brought the guitar over on his behalf. The Strat was a gift from Linda Keith, Keith Richards’ girlfriend at the time, and Jimi likely used it during the Are You Experienced studio sessions. It disappeared around March 1967, and its whereabouts remain unknown to this day.

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196? Fender Stratocaster (Zappa)

Check price on Model/Year: Fender Stratocaster Acquired: 1967 Notes: Allegedly burned by Jimi on stage, and then later given to Frank Zappa by Jimi’s roadie, Howard Parker,

This Stratocaster was given to Frank Zappa by Hendrix’s roadie, Howard Parker, at the 1968 Miami Pop Festival. The story goes that Jimi burned the guitar either at the Astoria in March 1967 or possibly at the Ambassador Hotel in August, though it’s hard to prove anything beyond reasonable doubt. The guitar sat in Frank’s studio for years until he eventually decided to restore it. It now belongs to Frank's son, Dweezil.

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1960s Fender Stratocaster (Telecaster neck, Newport)

Check price on Model/Year: Fender Stratocaster/Telecaster Hybrid Acquired: June 1969 Nickname: Newport Strat Notes: Used at Newport. Had a Stratocaster body and a Telecaster neck.

Jimi used this guitar only twice, both at the Newport Pop Festival on June 20th and June 22nd, 1969. The guitar was assembled by luthier Neal Moser, who fitted a brand new Telecaster neck onto one of Jimi's white Stratocasters after its original neck broke. Since Fender didn’t have any Strat necks available at the time, Neal modified a Tele neck to fit the Strat body.

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1957 Supro Ozark 1560s

Check price on Model/Year: 1957 Supro Ozark 1560s Acquired: 1959 Notes: Hendrix's first electric guitar.

This was Jimi's first electric guitar, purchased by his father at Myers Music Shop in Seattle in 1959 for $89. Most notably, Hendrix played it with his band, The Rocking Kings. It was a Valco-made instrument with a simple design, a white finish, and a single pickup at the bridge. Unfortunately, the Supro was stolen from The Birdland Club's bandstand in 1960 and never recovered.

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1967 Gibson SG Custom

Check price on Model/Year: 1967 Gibson SG Custom Acquired: 1968 Notes: Used on The Dick Cavett Show in September 1969.

First seen around late 1968 at the Rhode Island Auditorium gig. From that point, it was used occasionally, most often on "Red House," up until the late 1969. It was a Custom SG model finished in white with 3 humbucking pickups, a large "batwing" pickguard, and a tremolo bridge. After Jimi's death, the guitar was sold and eventually ended up with the Hard Rock Cafe corporation. 

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1963/64 Fender Stratocaster (Monterey Pop)

Check price on Model/Year: 1963/64 Fender Stratocaster Acquired: April 1967 Nickname: Monterey Pop Strat Notes: Famously burned and smashed at Monterey Pop Festival in June 1967.

First seen in use around March 1967, this guitar was originally a stock Fiesta Red Stratocaster produced in 1963 or 1964, based on the headstock shape and logo design. Sometime in the summer of 1967, Jimi decided to paint the guitar himself, decorating it with floral patterns. In June of that year, he brought the guitar on stage at the Monterey Pop Festival, set it on fire, and then smashed it.

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1967 Gibson Flying V (Hand-painted)

Check price on Model/Year: 1967 Gibson Flying V Acquired: July 1967 Nickname: "Love Drops" Flying V Notes: Custom-painted by Jimi.

This Flying V was first seen during The Monkees tour, but it didn't became one of Jimi's main go-to guitars until he returned to the UK in late August 1967. From then on he used it throughout the remainder of 1967 and into the early part of 1968. By March 1968, Jimi returned to playing Stratocasters almost exclusively, though he later switched things up by adding a Gibson Les Paul Custom to his collection. The Flying V was given to Mick Cox in 1969, and later sold at auction. Original paint is gone but it was at some point recreated by an artist.

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1960s Danelectro Bronze Standard

Check price on Model/Year: Danelectro Bronze Standard Acquired: Around 1960 Nickname: Betty Jean Notes: Jimi’s second electric guitar.

Jimi’s second electric guitar, acquired shortly after his Supro was stolen in 1960, was a dual-pickup Model 3022 Shorthorn finished in a bronze color. After joining the Army, Jimi had the guitar sent to him by his father, and at that point, he wrote "Betty Jean" on it as a tribute to his girlfriend at the time. He later sold the guitar to a fellow serviceman but continued borrowing it for a while after leaving the Army, until he saved enough money to buy a new guitar of his own.

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1965/66 Fender Stratocaster (Black, Monterey)

Check price on Model/Year: 1966 Fender Stratocaster Acquired: June 1967 Notes: Used for most of Monterey Pop Festival set on June 18, 1967.

Used for the first time at the Monterey Pop Festival on June 18, 1967. During this gig, Hendrix played the guitar on Killing Floor, Foxy Lady, Dylan's Like A Rolling Stone, Rock Me Baby, Hey Joe, Can You See Me, and The Wind Cries Mary. At the end of the concert, he switched to a red Stratocaster painted by himself and then set that guitar on fire after playing a cover of The Troggs' Wild Thing. This black Strat was used until October, when some accounts claim it was burned on stage at the Ambassador Hotel. However, that's just one version of the story, and the guitar's actual fate remains uncertain.

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1960s Fender Stratocaster (Carol)

Check price on Model/Year: Fender Stratocaster Acquired: 1966 Nickname: Carol Notes: Bought for Jimi by his then-girlfriend Carol Shiroky. Likely his first ever Stratocaster.

Jimi acquired this guitar at Manny’s Music shop in New York sometime around 1966, with his girlfriend at the time, Carol Shiroky, reportedly purchasing it for him. Steven Roby's book Becoming Jimi Hendrix [p. 170] mentions that he broke the guitar following his breakup with Carol, which likely took place at Café Au Go Go in New York. At that point, he moved on to the Linda Strat.

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1960s Fender Stratocaster (Tortoiseshell)

Check price on Model/Year: Fender Stratocaster Acquired: Late 1967 Notes: Had a tortoiseshell pickguard.

First seen at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on August 18, 1967. From that point, it was played on a few more occasions, but not as often as Jimi's main white Strat. This guitar seemed to be one Jimi used primarily at the end of his sets for his signature routine of smashing it against a Marshall stack. One such instance occurred at the Blackpool Opera House on November 25, 1967, which is also likely the last time this guitar was seen on stage.

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1963 Fender Stratocaster (Sunburst)

Check price on Model/Year: 1963 Fender Stratocaster Acquired: February 1967

Appeared in early 1967 and used throughout March, including the Marquee Club (March 2), Star Club, and likely the Astoria Theater on March 31, where Jimi first burned a guitar on stage, which was a different sunburst Stratocaster. This guitar was last seen on May 11, 1967, in Issy-les-Moulineaux, at which point it had a heavily worn finish. There is a slight possibility that this is the same guitar later given to Frank Zappa. 

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1960s Fender Duo-Sonic

Check price on Model/Year: Fender Duo-Sonic Acquired: Early 1964 Notes: Jimi’s first Fender guitar.

Jimi got this Duo-Sonic, his first actual Fender guitar, shortly before joining the Isley Brothers in 1964. The guitar was a gift from O'Kelly Isley. He used the guitar for a short while, as it was stolen just a couple of months after he received it. It was an early-to-mid-’60s model finished in white/cream color, featuring two pickups and a tremolo bridge, probably installed by Jimi himself. 

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1960s Fender Stratocaster (Saville Theater / Sgt. Pepper's Strat)

Check price on Model/Year: Fender Stratocaster Acquired: May 1967 Nickname: Saville Theater / Sgt. Pepper's Strat Notes: Hand-painted by Jimi and destroyed at the Saville Theatre.

This is the second of two red Fender Stratocasters Jimi used around May 1967 - the first one being the Monterey Strat. This one was primarily used during the May 1967 European tour, and it was smashed in Copenhagen on May 21, developing a crack across the body. It was later hand-painted by Jimi and completely destroyed at the Saville Theatre on June 4 after performing "Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band" in front of the Beatles.

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1961 Epiphone Wilshire

Check price on Model/Year: 1961 Epiphone Wilshire Serial No.: 10904 Acquired: 1962 Notes: Early guitar, acquired after army days.

Used by Hendrix around 1962, while he was playing with the King Casuals. It was among the first guitars he acquired after being discharged from the army, and he modified it by painting the pickguard white and applying tape to make it look like the guitar had block inlays instead of dot ones. He ended up selling the guitar to Reymond Ray, a local pawn shop owner, and then rented a different guitar from him instead. 

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1965 Fender Stratocaster (Astoria Strat)

Check price on Model/Year: 1965 Fender Stratocaster Acquired: 1967 Nickname: Astoria Strat Notes: Allegedly set on fire by Jimi at Astoria.

Little is known about this guitar’s history. It surfaced at auction in 2008 after being kept for over 40 years by Jimi’s press officer, Tony Garland. The official story is that this is the guitar that Jimi set on fire at The Astoria in London, England, on March 31, 1967, but evidence is scarce. No photos exist of him playing the guitar, neither at the Astoria nor at any prior date, so it's hard to prove anything beyond speculation. 

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1970 Gibson Flying V (Left-handed, Black)

Check price on Model/Year: 1970 Gibson Flying V Serial No.: 849476 Acquired: In 1970 Notes: Left-handed model custom-made for Jimi by Gibson. Used at the Isle of Wight Festival on August 30, 1970.

First seen on April 25, 1970, at the Los Angeles Forum, and later on May 8, 1970, at the University of Oklahoma Field House in Norman. From then on, it was used several times until Jimi's death, most famously at The Isle of Wight Festival on August 30, 1970. It was a custom-made, left-handed Gibson Flying V given to Jimi by Gibson directly. Currently owned by Hard Rock International.

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1956 Gibson Les Paul Custom (Fillmore West, Miami Pop)

Check price on Model/Year: 1956 Gibson Les Paul Custom Acquired: Early 1968 Notes: Used at Fillmore East and Miami Pop.

Jimi Hendrix began using a black 1956 Gibson Les Paul Custom around April 1968, with the earliest known appearance at Symphony Hall in Newark on April 5. He likely acquired it from Manny’s Music in New York shortly before that date. The guitar was primarily used for performances of Red House. It appeared notably at Fillmore East on May 10 and the Miami Pop Festival on May 18 but was otherwise used sparingly. It is now owned by Hard Rock Café and displayed at their Chicago location.

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1967 Fender Stratocaster (White)

Check price on Model/Year: 1967 Fender Stratocaster Acquired: July 1967 Notes: Jimi's main guitar from July 1967 to early 1968.

Jimi began using this Olympic White Fender Stratocaster in early July 1967, first seen at Whisky A Go-Go on July 2 and again at the Rheingold Central Park Music Festival on July 5. He played it regularly throughout his U.S. tour that summer, continuing to use it as his main guitar after returning to the UK in late August. It appeared at the Hollywood Bowl, Olympic Studios, and on Dutch TV’s Hoepla in November. The Strat remained in use through January 1968, last seen at Fillmore West on February 1. After that, he switched to a newer Strat, and the original disappeared.

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Ibanez Jet King 2

Check price on Model/Year: Ibanez Jet King 2 Acquired: Summer 1962

Jimi was seen using a 1960s Ibanez Jet King guitar during his time at Fort Campbell, with one confirmed performance at the Pink Poodle Club in Clarksville, Tennessee, in mid-1962. According to sources, Hendrix acquired the Ibanez at Collins Music in Tennessee; however, he often pawned his guitars between gigs around this time. After some time, he struggled to keep up with the payments and eventually returned the guitar to the shop.

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1967/68 Fender Stratocaster (Blue)

Check price on Model/Year: 1967/68 Fender Stratocaster Acquired: Mid 1968 Notes: Featured a unique finish, likely Fender’s "Blue Ice Metallic."

This 1967/68 Fender Stratocaster, finished in what looked like Fender’s Blue Ice Metallic, was used by Jimi Hendrix for a short period in mid-1968. It was first seen at the Monsterkonzert in Zurich on May 31 and appeared again, with half a headstock missing, at the Lagoon Opera House in Salt Lake City on August 30. Despite a broken headstock and body crack, Hendrix or a crew member reassembled it, and it was seen in Seattle on September 4 with half a headstock. The last known sighting was backstage at the Hollywood Bowl on September 14. Its fate after that is unknown.

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1960s Fender Stratocaster (Modified)

Check price on Model/Year: Fender Stratocaster (Modified) Acquired: October 1967 Notes: The only heavily modified Stratocaster Jimi was ever seen playing.

Jimi Hendrix played this modified 1960s Fender Stratocaster at a few shows, including The Saville Theatre in London on October 8, 1967, L'Olympia in Paris on October 9, and in Gothenburg on January 4, 1968. The guitar had three toggle switches instead of the usual three-way selector, letting him turn each pickup on or off. It may have been a test or experiment, possibly made by swapping parts from another Strat. Hendrix didn’t keep using the guitar after these shows. What happened to it later is unknown.

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1960s Fender Stratocaster (black, Darlington)

Check price on Model/Year: Fender Stratocaster Acquired: Early 1867 Nickname: Darlington Strat Notes: Played on February 2, 1967, at the Imperial Hotel in Darlington, and reportedly stolen after the show.

Jimi Hendrix reportedly used a black Fender Stratocaster on February 2, 1967, during a show at the Imperial Hotel in Darlington, England. According to some sources, the guitar was stolen shortly after the performance and later sold to a local musician for £20. Although several guitars were mentioned in the theft, only the black Stratocaster was confirmed missing. Hendrix was said to be more concerned about a white Strat, likely the 1964 model gifted to him by Linda Keith. The black guitar has never been recovered, even though some locals believe the guitar is still out there and have actively called for the current owner to return it.

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Mosrite Joe Maphis 12/6 Doubleneck

Check price on Model/Year: Mosrite Joe Maphis 12/6 Doubleneck Acquired: 1967 Notes: Jimi's only double-neck guitar.

Jimi Hendrix owned a Mosrite double-neck guitar, reportedly purchased at Manny’s Music in New York. According to the EMP Museum (now MoPOP) in Seattle, he used the guitar during the recording of “Spanish Castle Magic” for the Axis: Bold as Love album in 1967. The guitar had one six-string and one twelve-string neck, with high-output single-coil pickups. It was displayed at a Hendrix-focused exhibit at the museum, though several original parts, including the tremolo system and 12-string bridge, were missing.

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1959-1964 Fender Jazzmaster

Check price on Model/Year: Fender Jazzmaster Acquired: 1964

Jimi Hendrix used a sunburst Fender Jazzmaster during the Isley Brothers’ tour in late 1964 and while performing with Little Richard in early to mid-1965. It was also seen during a May 1965 TV appearance on Night Train, where Hendrix played in the backing band for Buddy & Stacy. The guitar likely dates from 1959 to 1962, based on features like the pickguard and veneer fretboard. It was last seen in late 1965 when Jimi was playing with Joey Dee and the Starliters. After that, he switched to other guitars, and the Jazzmaster was no longer seen.

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1965 Fender Jaguar (Black)

Check price on Model/Year: 1965 Fender Jaguar Serial No.: L65163 Acquired: Summer 1967 Notes: Given to Jimi by Brian Jones just before Monterey gig.

According to roadie Tappy Wright, this 1965 Fender Jaguar was given to Jimi Hendrix by Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones on June 8, 1967, just before the Monterey Pop Festival. The guitar, originally strung for a right-handed player, was later restrung for Hendrix and reportedly used in October 1967 at Olympic Studios to record “Experiencing the Blues” and “Hound Dog.”

It remained with Tappy until shortly before his death and was eventually sold for $125,455.99. The guitar’s authenticity is, however, debated due to a lack of any photographic evidence of Jimi actually using it.

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1967 Fender Stratocaster (White)

Check price on Model/Year: 1967 Fender Stratocaster Acquired: Early 1968 Notes: Likely used during the Electric Ladyland sessions at Record Plant in NYC.

Jimi Hendrix began using this Olympic White Fender Stratocaster in early 1968, with its first confirmed appearance on February 2 at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. Visually similar to his earlier white Strat, it featured less wear but already had a small cigarette burn on the headstock, suggesting prior use.

Hendrix used this guitar extensively throughout 1968, including at major shows like Fillmore East on May 10 and very likely during the Electric Ladyland sessions recorded between April and August at Record Plant Studios. The last known sightings date to late October 1968. Possibly exchanged for the Acoustic/Bartell "The Black Widow". 

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1960s Fender Jaguar (Blue)

Check price on Model/Year: Fender Jaguar Acquired: August 1967

Jimi Hendrix was photographed playing a dark-colored Fender Jaguar, likely black or dark blue, on August 24, 1967, during a performance at Lime Grove Studios for the Top of the Pops television show. The guitar was strung for a right-handed player, indicating it was probably borrowed for the occasion. Also, all known photos of Hendrix with this Jaguar appear to be from that single day, so that was indeed most likely the case. 

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1960s Fender Stratocaster

Check price on Model/Year: Fender Stratocaster Notes: February 1967

This white Fender Stratocaster was first seen in a photo taken at Bristol Locarno on February 10, 1967. From the photo, the only thing we see is the color and the fact that the guitar had a small headstock, but beyond that, the guitar is a mystery. That night, Hendrix performed with a different white Strat, suggesting this one may have served as a backup or replacement, possibly due to the reported theft of his black Strat on February 2. By March 1967, he had moved on to sunburst Strats, and this white guitar was nowhere to be seen.

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1950s/60s Fender Duo-Sonic (Sunburst)

Check price on Model/Year: Fender Duo-Sonic Acquired: 1965 Notes: Used during a few gigs with Curtis Knight in late 1965 and early 1966. Reportedly a gift from Knight.

Jimi played a sunburst Fender Duo-Sonic during several performances with Curtis Knight in late 1965 and early 1966. According to Jimi Hendrix Gear by Michael Heatley, the guitar was reportedly a gift from Knight. After this period, the Duo-Sonic was no longer seen, and its fate remains unknown. It was likely pawned before Hendrix left for London in late 1966, as he brought only a white Stratocaster with him to the UK.

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1955 Gibson Les Paul Custom

Check price on Model/Year: 1955 Gibson Les Paul Custom Acquired: 1969 Notes: Jimi gave it to Larry Lee in 1969, just before Woodstock, and Lee played it that day. Currently owned by Museum of Pop Culture.

This 1955 Gibson Les Paul Custom, featuring a Bigsby tailpiece and a replaced P90 neck pickup, was reportedly bought by Jimi Hendrix and Larry Lee in 1963 while playing with Bob Fisher and the Bonnevilles. According to Lee, Hendrix gave him the guitar in 1969, just before Woodstock, when Lee joined Gypsy Sun and the Rainbows and didn’t have an instrument. Lee used the guitar during Hendrix’s Woodstock set. The guitar was later sold through Sotheby’s in 1991 and is now held by the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle.

However, its use by Hendrix before 1969 remains unverified because a gap of 6 years makes no sense. We likely would've seen it in Jimi's hands during that period. 

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1960s Gibson SG Custom (Walnut)

Check price on Model/Year: Gibson SG Custom Acquired: 1970

Jimi Hendrix was photographed playing a 1960s Gibson SG Custom during a jam at Ungano’s club in New York in January 1970. This is the only known instance of him using the guitar. According to a former club employee, the instrument may have been a gift from the venue’s owners, as Hendrix was a frequent guest and often performed impromptu sets there.

The SG had a walnut finish, three pickups, a white batwing pickguard, and possibly a Bigsby tremolo. Its current whereabouts are unknown, and no other confirmed appearances have been documented.

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1967 Guild Starfire V

Check price on Model/Year: 1967 Guild Starfire V Serial No.: EN 1778 Acquired: May 1968

Jimi Hendrix used this 1967 Guild Starfire V only once, during a jam session on May 19, 1968, at the Wreck Bar in the Castaways Hotel, following the canceled second day of the Miami Pop Festival. The guitar was seen in a single known photo from that night. It’s unclear whether Hendrix owned or borrowed the instrument for the occasion. The body was covered with stickers, though their origin is unknown. Afterward, the guitar went to Jimi’s father, Al Hendrix, and remained with the family until it was auctioned in 2017.

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1960s Fender Jazzmaster

Check price on Model/Year: 1964/65 Fender Jazzmaster Acquired: May 1966 Notes: Used with King Curtis & the Kingpins. Likely a borrowed guitar.

Jimi Hendrix was seen playing a Fender Jazzmaster during a performance with King Curtis & the Kingpins in May 1966. This is the only known instance of him using the guitar, suggesting it was likely borrowed. The strap button had not been moved for left-handed play, supporting this theory. Based on visual details, the guitar was likely made before mid-1965, as it lacked neck binding and featured the newer-style knobs introduced around that time. 

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1965 Fender Jazzmaster (Sunburst)

Check price on Model/Year: 1965 Fender Jazzmaster Acquired: 1968 Notes: Now owned by actor Steven Seagal.

Jimi Hendrix used this Fender Jazzmaster briefly in spring 1968. It was first seen at the University of Toledo Fieldhouse on March 30 and last photographed at Symphony Hall in Newark on April 5. It may have also been present at the Miami Pop Festival on May 18, seen in the background behind Hendrix next to a sunburst Strat.

According to a 1968 diary entry, Hendrix bought a Jazzmaster and a practice amp in late March, likely in New York. The guitar is now reportedly owned by actor Steven Seagal, who acquired it from former roadie Tappy Wright.

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1969 Gibson Flying V (Tobacco burst)

Check price on Model/Year: 1969 Gibson Flying V Acquired: 1969 Notes: Used only a few times by Jimi, later acquired by Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and displayed in Las Vegas.

This tobacco-burst Gibson Flying V was the second Flying V Jimi Hendrix used publicly, though it remains the least documented of the three, which is how many he had in total. The first confirmed photo of this one dates to May 18, 1969, backstage at Madison Square Garden, though some sources suggest he may have used it earlier that year. Another known image appears on the cover of Two Great Experiences Together, an album with Lonnie Youngblood.

Unlike his other Flying Vs, this one saw limited use and was likely played for only a few songs per show. The guitar is now owned by the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.

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1970 Fender Stratocaster (sunburst, maple)

Check price on Model/Year: 1970 Fender Stratocaster Serial No.: 274200 Acquired: July 14, 1970 Notes: Bought at Manny's Music on July 14, 1970, and used only during Electric Lady Studios' opening party a month later. Decades after sold for $187,500.

This 1970 Fender Stratocaster was reportedly used by Jimi Hendrix during the opening party of Electric Lady Studios on August 26, 1970, according to Noel Redding, but no photos from the performance exist. The next day, Hendrix left for London, and the guitar was not seen at any of his final shows, suggesting it remained at the studio.

The Strat was later signed by Redding and appeared at multiple auctions, including Christie’s in 2009 and Julien’s in 2010, where it sold for $187,500. The original purchase receipt, dated July 1970, was signed by Hendrix’s road manager, Eugene McFadden.

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1950s Gibson Les Paul TV Special

Check price on Model/Year: Gibson Les Paul TV Special Acquired: May 1968 Notes: Seen only twice around May 1968. Largely a mystery, unclear if it belonged to Jimi or someone else.

Jimi Hendrix was seen playing this mid-1950s Gibson Les Paul Special on two known occasions: live at the Hallenstadion in Zurich on May 31, 1968, and during the studio sessions for South Saturn Delta. The guitar featured two pickups and a TV yellow finish, typical of Les Paul Specials from that era. No additional confirmed appearances are known, and details about the guitar’s origin or history remain unknown.

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Acoustic/Bartell "The Black Widow"

Check price on Model/Year: Acoustic/Bartell The Black Widow (Custom Made) Acquired: October 1968 Notes: Given to Jimi at TTG Studios in 1968 by Harvey Gerst of Acoustic Control Corp. Used on "Mojo Man."

Jimi Hendrix acquired the Acoustic-labeled Bartell “Black Widow” guitar in October 1968 during a visit to TTG Studios in Los Angeles. The guitar was brought by Harvey Gerst of Acoustic Control Corporation, who was assisting Hendrix with newly purchased amps. Hendrix took a liking to the guitar and reportedly traded one of his white Fender Stratocasters for it.

The Black Widow featured a black finish, body and neck binding, sharp contours, and amp-style knobs. It was mainly used in studio sessions and appeared on the track “Mojo Man.” The guitar was later involved in a legal dispute over ownership.

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1970s Fender Stratocaster (black, left-handed)

Check price on Model/Year: Fender Stratocaster (left-handed) Acquired: Ordered in 1969/70, but never recieved. Notes: One of two left-handed Strats Jimi ordered from Manny's in 1969 but never picked up.

In late 1969 or early 1970, Jimi Hendrix ordered two left-handed Fender Stratocasters, a black one and a white one, both with rosewood fretboards, from Manny’s Music in New York. Following his death, the guitars remained unclaimed. In early 1970, Steve Miller acquired both instruments through his longtime connection with store owner Henry Goldrich. The black Strat was later stolen and never recovered, but Miller kept the white one and used it extensively in the studio.

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Fender Stratocaster (Red, Masonic Temple)

Check price on Model/Year: Fender Stratocaster Acquired: Early 1968 Notes: Had a broken headstock, exact story unknown.

Jimi was seen playing a red Fender Stratocaster with a broken headstock at the Masonic Temple in Detroit on February 13, 1968. The guitar had a rosewood fretboard and a dark red finish, likely Dakota Red. The broken headstock suggests prior use, but no earlier appearances are documented. So it’s unclear when the damage occurred.

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1968 Fender Stratocaster (black, left-handed)

Check price on Model/Year: 1968 Fender Stratocaster Acquired: 1969 Notes: Bought at Manny's Music in NYC and later gifted to Richard "Deering" Howe; no known record of Jimi playing it.

Jimi Hendrix purchased a left-handed black 1968 Fender Stratocaster with a maple neck from Manny’s Music in New York and later gifted it to his friend Richard “Deering” Howe. The two were close in the late 1960s and reportedly traveled to Morocco together in 1969. Howe kept the guitar until 1988, when he sold it through Sotheby’s. The sale details and current ownership are unknown.

Fun fact: Duane Allman once played this guitar. strung for right-handed use, during a visit to Howe’s apartment at One Fifth Avenue in New York, as recalled by Gregg Allman.

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1967 Fender Stratocaster (Sunburst)

Check price on Model/Year: 1967 Fender Stratocaster Acquired: Late 1968. Notes: Reportedly recovered from Jimi's NYC apartment after his death, and later sold.

Jimi Hendrix was photographed playing a sunburst 1967 Fender Stratocaster at TTG Studios in Los Angeles during recording sessions in October 1968. While most images from these sessions show him using his favorite guitar, the black 1968 Strat, one photo captures him with this lesser-seen large-headstock sunburst model. A guitar claimed to be this same Strat surfaced recently on auction, according to the listing, Jimi’s U.S. manager Bob Levine retrieved it from Hendrix’s New York apartment after his death.

The guitar was strung for left-handed use, but wear patterns suggest right-handed play, raising doubts about its authenticity. 

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Jimi Hendrix's 1970s Fender Stratocaster (white, left-handed)

Check price on Model/Year: Fender Stratocaster (left-handed) Acquired: Ordered in 1969/70, but never recieved. Notes: One of two left-handed Strats Jimi ordered from Manny's in 1969 but never picked up. Bought by Steve Miller in 1970.

In late 1969 or early 1970, Jimi Hendrix ordered two left-handed Fender Stratocasters from Manny’s Music in New York, one black, one white, both with rosewood fretboards. After Hendrix’s death, the guitars remained unclaimed at the store. In the early 1970s, musician Steve Miller acquired them through store owner Henry Goldrich. Miller had the guitars restrung and used the white Strat extensively in the studio.

The black Strat appeared on the cover of Fly Like an Eagle but was later stolen and never recovered. This white Strat remains in Miller’s possession.

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1967/68 Fender Stratocaster (Black)

Check price on Model/Year: 1967/68 Fender Stratocaster Acquired: Mid to late 1968.

Jimi Hendrix was photographed with a 1967/68 Fender Stratocaster in Hawaii on October 6 and 7, 1968. The guitar featured a large headstock, consistent with models from that period. Available footage suggests he did not use it during the Honolulu International Center concert but only during this photo session, which was on the following day. After Hawaii, Hendrix was never seen with the guitar again, which means that he either left it behind or gave it away, or it wasn't even his. 

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Jimi Hendrix's Acoustic Guitars

1960s Zemaitis 12-string

Check price on Model/Year: Zemaitis Custom-Made 12-string Acquired: Late 1967 Notes: Used for an unplugged "Hear My Train A’ Comin’"

On December 19, 1967, Jimi Hendrix was filmed playing a 12-string acoustic version of Hear My Train A’Comin’ at Bruce Fleming’s London studio, as part of the short film See My Music Talking. The guitar he used was a handcrafted 12-string made by British luthier Tony Zemaitis. Zemaitis guitars were known for their quality and were favored by several major musicians of the time, like Eric Clapton. The current whereabouts of Hendrix’s Zemaitis 12-string are unknown, though it is reportedly still around. 

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1951 Epiphone FT79

Check price on Model/Year: 1951 Epiphone FT79 Serial No.: 62262 Acquired: Around 1967 Notes: Given by Jimi to guitarist Alan Parker in March 1970, later sold in 2016 for £209,000 (~$270,000) at Bonhams.

Jimi Hendrix purchased this 1951 Epiphone FT79 acoustic guitar during the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s first U.S. tour in 1967, reportedly buying it second-hand in New York for around $25. He brought it back to London, where it became his main acoustic instrument for composing and practicing. According to Kathy Etchingham, Hendrix used the Epiphone regularly in private, often writing songs and working out arrangements on it, including his version of “All Along the Watchtower.”

He gave the guitar to session musician Alan Parker in March 1970. It was sold at Bonhams in 2016 for £209,000.

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1968 Martin D-45

Check price on Model/Year: 1968 Martin D-45 Acquired: 1969 Notes: Purchased in 1969 from Manny’s Music in New York. After Jimi’s death, it went to drummer Mitch Mitchell, who kept it until selling it at auction in 1992.

Jimi Hendrix purchased a 1968 Martin D-45 in 1969 from Manny’s Music in New York. According to drummer Mitch Mitchell, the guitar was kept at Hendrix’s home for composing and was occasionally used in studio sessions, including on the The Cry of Love album. There are no known photos of Hendrix with the guitar, and he never mentioned it publicly, but Mitchell’s account should be enough proof by itself.

After Hendrix’s death, the guitar passed to Mitchell, who sold it at auction in 1992. It was later acquired by the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle.

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Thornward Parlor Guitar

Check price on Model/Year: Thornward Parlor (no specific model) Acquired: Presumably in 1968

This Thornward parlor guitar is currently owned by Hard Rock Cafe International and displayed at their Amsterdam location. According to the cafe’s notes, it was donated by Mitch Mitchell and was allegedly used by Jimi Hendrix during the 1968 recording of “All Along the Watchtower.” However, there are no photos or direct documentation to confirm this. 

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Jimi Hendrix's Amps

Marshall Super 100 JTM45/100

Check price on Model/Year: Marshall Super 100 JTM45/100 Acquired: Late 1966 Notes: Jimi's favorite and most-used amp, featured on most live and studio recordings.

Jimi Hendrix first used a Marshall amp on September 28, 1966, while jamming with Brian Auger’s band. Impressed, he purchased two or three Marshall Super 100 heads and four cabinets on October 11, 1966, with Mitch Mitchell. These amps debuted during the Experience’s French tour that same month. Hendrix used Marshall Super 100s for most of his career, including in the Are You Experienced? sessions. One amp, serial number 7026, has been matched to his 1967 performances and confirmed by Marshall as an early model. It remained in use throughout Hendrix’s tours and studio work.

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Sunn 100s

Check price on Model/Year: Sunn 100s Acquired: Early 1968 Notes: Used briefly in early 1968 after an endorsement deal with Sunn.

In early 1968, Jimi Hendrix signed an endorsement deal with Sunn Amplification, likely prompted by Buck Munger after the failure of Jimi’s Fender amps at a February 2 Anaheim show. Hendrix debuted the Sunn gear live on February 11 in Santa Barbara, using a Sunn 100S or Spectrum II head with 100-F cabinets. Frustrated by performance issues, he publicly criticized the amps by mid-February.

Though he briefly continued using Sunn cabinets with Eminence speakers, he soon returned to Marshall heads by mid-March. So, the Sunn endorsement was very short-lived.

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1968 Fender Dual Showman

Check price on Model/Year: 1967/68 Fender Dual Showman Acquired: Early 1968 Notes: Used briefly in early 1968 for live shows, and possibly on for “Voodoo Chile" in studio.

In early 1968, Jimi Hendrix briefly used Fender Dual Showman amps during live performances. They were seen at the Fillmore East on February 1, Winterland on February 2, and Anaheim on February 9. Fender reportedly supplied the amps for the U.S. tour, but reliability issues quickly emerged. At the Anaheim show, both units failed, prompting Jimi to switch to a Marshall amp mid-set. Shortly after, he struck a deal with Sunn Amplification.

In the studio, Hendrix may have used a Fender Showman for “Voodoo Chile,” according to Eddie Kramer, though the exact model and cabinet remain uncertain.

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Sound City One Hundred

Check price on Model/Year: 1967 Sound City One Hundred Acquired: Summer 1967 Notes: Allegedly used during the "Axis: Bold as Love" sessions.

According to Roger Mayer, Jimi Hendrix used a 1967 Sound City 100 Master Volume amp extensively during the Axis: Bold as Love sessions. He later brought the amp on tour, using it alongside a Marshall JTM 45/100 during the spring of 1968, including at the Miami Pop Festival. This setup followed brief stints with Fender Dual Showman and Sunn amps, both of which failed to meet his needs, so Jimi reportedly had his preferred Marshall and Sound City gear shipped from the UK. 

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Vox AC30

Check price on Model/Year: Vox AC30 Acquired: 1967 Notes: Used on the overdubs on "All Along the Watchtower". No other known use.

According to session engineer Phil Brown, all of Jimi Hendrix’s electric guitar overdubs on All Along the Watchtower were recorded using a Vox AC30 amp. The amp was set up near the control room window, and the sound was captured using a combination of Neumann U67 and AKG C 12 A microphones. Hendrix experimented with various effects during the session, including fuzz, wah-wah, Leslie cabinet, phasing, and tape manipulation. 

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Fender Twin Reverb

Check price on Model/Year: Fender Twin Reverb Acquired: Late 1965 Notes: Used in the early days, with Curtis Knight and the Squires from late 1965 to most of 1966.

Jimi Hendrix was seen using a Fender Twin Reverb amp during his time with Curtis Knight and the Squires between late 1965 and mid-1966. Photos from this period, particularly at George’s Club 20 in 1966, show him playing through the combo amp. As Jimi left the band in August 1966 and moved to the UK shortly after, he either left the amp behind, or the amp was likely not his personal gear. Given that multiple Twin Reverbs were present on stage, it’s probable that the equipment belonged to the band and was shared among members.

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Supro S6420 Thunderbolt

Check price on Model/Year: Supro S6420 Thunderbolt Acquired: 1966 Notes: Use by Hendrix speculated, but not entirely confirmed.

The Supro S6420 Thunderbolt amp is often claimed to have been used by Jimi Hendrix during his early days with Curtis Knight, around 1966. And while some have pointed to a stage photo showing an amp behind Jimi as evidence, the amp in question has metal corner protectors and front-mounted controls, features inconsistent with the Thunderbolt, which has top-mounted controls and a cleaner design. These details suggest the amp was more likely a Fender combo model.

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Silvertone Twin Twelve

Check price on Model/Year: Silvertone Twin Twelve Acquired: Late 1962 Notes: Used around late 1962 or early 1963 with the King Kasuals.

Jimi Hendrix appears to have used a Silvertone Twin Twelve combo amp in late 1962 or early 1963 while performing with the King Kasuals. A photo from this period shows him playing what is likely a 1961 Epiphone Wilshire guitar alongside the amp. As far as the origin story, in Starting at Zero: His Own Story, Hendrix recalled that a supportive club owner bought the band new gear, giving him a Silvertone while the others received Fender Bandmasters. 

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Sunn 2000s

Check price on Model/Year: Sunn 2000s Acquired: Early 1968 Notes: Allegedly used during Jimi’s 1968 Sunn endorsement.

Jimi Hendrix was associated with this specific Sunn amp model during his 1968 endorsement deal with the company. Recently, a unit allegedly belonging to Jimi surfaced on Reverb.com, paired with 2×15 cabinets loaded with JBL D140 speakers and listed for approximately $150,000. The listing has, however, since been removed, and no further details are available. Also, there are no known photos of Hendrix using this specific model, as during his time with Sunn, he was primarily seen using the Spectrum II or 100S models.

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Guild Thunderbass Quantum Amp

Check price on Model/Year: Guild Thunderbass Quantum Acquired: 1967 Notes: Allegedly used in the early days with The Jimi Hendrix Experience, possibly later as a preamp (unconfirmed).

According to technician Dave Weyer, Jimi Hendrix used a Guild Thunderbass amp during the early days of The Jimi Hendrix Experience and possibly later as a preamp. The amp resurfaced when a user on LetsTalkGuild.com found one at a pawn shop with “J H EXP” stenciled on the bottom. It was sent to Weyer, who confirmed it was the same unit he had modified for Hendrix in the late 1960s.

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Jimi Hendrix's Effects

Shin-ei/Univox Uni-Vibe

Check price on Model/Year: Shin-ei/Univox Uni-Vibe Acquired: 1969 Notes: Creates swirling, modulated tones like a rotating speaker. Used live on "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Woodstock and "Machine Gun" on Band of Gypsys (1970).

Jimi Hendrix famously used the Shin-ei/Univox Uni-Vibe at Woodstock on August 18, 1969. It is also prominently featured on “Machine Gun” from the Band of Gypsys album and appears on various studio recordings made at Electric Lady Studios and The Record Plant from late 1969 to July 1970.

The Uni-Vibe was designed by Fumio Mieda in Japan and originally sold as the "Vibra-Chorus" under the Honey brand. After Honey's 1969 bankruptcy, Shin-ei continued production under the "Uni-Vibe" name, with Univox importing them to the U.S. The unit Hendrix used was made by Shin-ei in Japan.

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Marshall Supa Fuzz

Check price on Model/Year: Marshall Supa Fuzz (MKI) Acquired: Early 1967 Notes: Bought at Sound City in London, January 1967. Used briefly live, and possibly on early recordings like "Purple Haze" and "Fire," though unconfirmed.

Jimi purchased a Marshall Supa Fuzz pedal in January 1967, confirmed by a saved receipt from Sound City in London. The receipt refers to it as a “Super” Fuzz, likely a misspelling. Hendrix was photographed with the pedal four days later, on January 24, at The Marquee Club, though it was not plugged in.

The unit shown is the 1966 MKI version, identified by its control knob spacing and fixed maximum fuzz level. While it may have been used in early 1967 studio sessions, its actual role and use by Hendrix remain unknown.

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Vox V846 Wah Pedal (Woodstock)

Check price on Model/Year: Vox V846 Acquired: Around 1969 Notes: One of many wah pedals Jimi used. According to tech Dave Weyer, this one was used at Woodstock.

Jimi Hendrix used a modified Vox V846 wah pedal during his performance at Woodstock in 1969, according to Dave Weyer, who worked on Hendrix’s gear. The pedal was a Sepulveda-made model with a TDK inductor and high-beta Motorola transistors. It lacked a Vox logo on the front but had a relief where the logo was meant to be, a West Coast sticker on the bottom, and Hendrix’s signature inside the casing. This specific unit was sold at auction in 2016. 

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Roger Mayer Octavia

Check price on Model/Year: Roger Mayer Octavia Acquired: Early 1967 Notes: Made for Jimi by Roger Mayer, this pedal adds an octave above the played note. Used on solos in "Purple Haze," "Fire," and later recordings.

Jimi Hendrix began using the Octavia pedal in January 1967 after meeting Roger Mayer, who had designed the effect as a hobby while working as an acoustic engineer. Jimi first tested it backstage at a gig and later used it to overdub solos on “Purple Haze” and “Fire” at Olympic Studios. The original version used a separate fuzz box and was discarded after the session. Mayer continued refining the Octavia, and updated versions were used during the Axis: Bold as Love sessions later in 1967.

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Maestro FZ-1 Fuzz-Tone

Check price on Model/Year: Maestro FZ-1 Fuzz-Tone Acquired: 1966 Notes: Seen during Jimi's time with the Squiers in mid-1966.

Jimi Hendrix was seen using a Maestro FZ-1 Fuzz-Tone pedal during a mid-1966 performance with Curtis Knight and the Squires at the Cheetah Club in New York City. The pedal appears in a photo positioned behind him on stage, and it is unknown whether he used the pedal beyond this occasion.

The Maestro FZ-1, introduced in 1962 and manufactured by Gibson, gained widespread popularity after Keith Richards used it on “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.”

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Jimi Hendrix's Strings

Fender Rock N’ Roll 150 Strings

Check price on Model/Year: Fender Rock N’ Roll 150 Strings Notes: Strings that Jimi used, according to Roger Mayer.

According to Roger Mayer, Jimi Hendrix used the standard Fender 150 string set, which included gauges of .010, .013, .015, .026, .032, and .038. This set was sold during the late 1960s and early 1970s under the name “Spanish Guitar Light Gauge Rock ‘N’ Roll.” Fender’s catalogs listed the individual strings as 151 through 156, and a modern version is sold today as Fender Hendrix Voodoo Child strings.

In contrast, Buddy Miles claimed Hendrix actually used a custom setup with heavier bass strings and a mix of lighter gauges, though this remains unverified.

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Jimi Hendrix's Accessories

Fender Medium Celluloid Guitar Pick

Check price on Model/Year: Fender Medium Celluloid Notes: Likely the picks that Jimi used most. Seen in his hands at Woodstock.

Jimi most often used a red and black celluloid pick, commonly seen in photos from the late 1960s. It was likely a Fender 351-shaped pick, though he may have occasionally used picks from Manny’s Music in New York.

These picks were widely used during that era; they were considered to be the best guitar picks at that time and are still to this day favored by players who prefer vintage-style gear.

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Ace (Woodstock) Guitar Strap

Check price on Model/Year: Ace Saugerties/Woodstock Acquired: Unknown, first known use around 1967. Notes: Ace strap with the "Saugerties" pattern, famously used by Jimi at Woodstock and through 1969–1970.

During his Woodstock performance on August 18, 1969, Jimi Hendrix used a patterned guitar strap made by Ace, a company known for its unique strap designs in the 1960s. The same strap was also seen at the Hollywood Bowl in 1967 and at other shows.

One of the straps was later auctioned in 2008, with its provenance traced to David Vega of Graham Central Station, who received it from a Woodstock sound technician. 

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Manny's Music Medium Guitar Pick

Check price on Model/Year: Manny's Music Medium Notes: Recently sold at auction. Handed down from Jimi to Larry Lee, alongside a Gibson Les Paul Custom.  

Although Jimi Hendrix likely used various picks throughout his career, a few examples have appeared at auctions and in museums. These suggest he generally preferred medium-thickness picks without a strong preference for brand or model.

One pick, passed to Larry Lee along with Hendrix’s Les Paul Custom, was listed on Reverb.com and claimed to be from Woodstock. However, photos from the Woodstock performance show Hendrix using red and black picks, making this claim unlikely.

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Ace (Stained Glass) Guitar Strap

Check price on Model/Year: Ace Stained Glass Acquired: Unknown, probably mid to late 60s. Notes: Seen in late October 1968 at TTG Studios in Los Angeles.

Hendrix was seen using this Ace guitar strap in late October 1968 at TTG Studios in Los Angeles. The strap, known as the Ace Stained Glass model, was produced by the Ace Strap Company, a California-based manufacturer active in the 1960s and 1970s. These straps were made with jacquard fabric and featured detailed, colorful patterns. A replica of this specific model is available today as the Dunlop Jimi Hendrix TTG Studios Guitar Strap (JH08).

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Ace (Floral) Guitar Strap

Check price on Model/Year: Ace Floral Acquired: Unknown, probably mid to late 60s. Notes: Ace strap with a floral pattern, one of many Ace straps that Jimi used throughout his career.

This Ace guitar strap, one of several used by Jimi Hendrix during his career, was recently sold at auction for an undisclosed price. It had been in the possession of Darrel Stroot, who claimed to have acquired it at a concert on June 10, 1970, at Roberts Municipal Stadium in Evansville, Indiana. According to Stroot, Hendrix’s strap broke during the performance and was replaced mid-song. After the show, a stagehand gave the discarded strap to Stroot, who kept it from that night onward.

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FAQ

What guitars did Jimi Hendrix play?

Jimi Hendrix is most famously associated with Fender Stratocasters, especially right-handed models flipped and restrung for his left-handed playing. His key guitars included the “Black Beauty” Strat, the white Strat used at Woodstock, and a few early models like the "Linda" Stratocaster. He also occasionally played a psychedelic-painted Gibson Flying V, or a Gibson SG.

Why did Jimi Hendrix play a right-handed guitar left-handed?

As a left-handed guitarist, Jimi began by flipping right-handed guitars and restringing them for left-handed use - mostly just because left-handed models were extremely rare in the 1960s. This setup - him playing a Stratocaster essentially upside down - ended up becoming part of his image. Also, it definitely influenced his tone because of how pickups are oriented on Stratocaster guitars - for example, the bridge pickup would be slanted the opposite way if the guitar is strung upside-down.

What amplifiers did Jimi Hendrix use?

Jimi Hendrix’s live sound was powered by high-wattage Marshall Super Lead heads and 4×12 cabinets, often daisy-chained for massive volume and distortion. In the late ’60s, he briefly experimented with Fender Dual Showman and Sunn amps but returned to Marshalls due to their superior tone and reliability. His typical stage setup included multiple 100-watt Marshall heads and stacks to fill large venues before modern PA systems.

What effects pedals did Jimi Hendrix use?

Jimi Hendrix was one of the people most responsible for the explosion in the popularity of effects pedals that we all witnessed through the 70s and 80s. Back then his setup was simple, but for that time actually very advanced. He usually always had a Vox Wah available on stage (heard in “Voodoo Child”) and a Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face for thick distortion on songs like “Purple Haze.” Later on he also used the Uni-Vibe occasionally (notably on “Machine Gun”) and the Octavia, which was used more in the studio.

What tuning did Jimi Hendrix use for his guitars?

Jimi Hendrix often played in standard tuning (E–A–D–G–B–E), but he also frequently used E-flat tuning (E♭–A♭–D♭–G♭–B♭–E♭), where each string is tuned down a half step. Songs in standard tuning include Purple Haze, Hey Joe, The Wind Cries Mary, and Foxy Lady. Examples of E-flat tuning include Little Wing, Voodoo Child (Slight Return), Red House, and All Along the Watchtower.​​​​

References

• Heatley, Michael. Jimi Hendrix Gear: The Guitars, Amps & Effects That Revolutionized Rock 'n' Roll. Voyageur Press, 2009.
• Cross, Charles R. Room Full of Mirrors: A Biography of Jimi Hendrix. New York: Hyperion, 2005.
• Hendrix, Jimi. Starting At Zero: His Own Story. Edited by Alan Douglas and Peter Neal. New York: Bloomsbury USA, 2013.
• Etchingham, Kathy. Through Gypsy Eyes. London: Orion, 1998.
• Museum of Pop Culture. "Hendrix – Groups." Accessed March 31, 2025. https://mopop.emuseum.com/groups/hendrix/results.

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I'm Dan, the creator of GroundGuitar—a site dedicated to tracking the gear and guitars used by iconic musicians. Since 2013, I’ve been researching amps, effects, and instruments to build one of the most detailed guitarist gear databases online. I have a deep love for vintage gear, subtle details, and the stories behind legendary tones. It’s a labor of love, but I hold it to high standards.

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