Tony Iommi, the undisputed “Riff Lord” and godfather of heavy metal, is synonymous with the Gibson SG. His iconic “Old Boy” Jaydee SG, with its distinctive cross inlays and well-worn finish, is arguably one of the most recognizable guitars in rock history. However, beneath this pervasive image lies a fascinating and surprisingly diverse collection of instruments that Iommi has wielded throughout his illustrious career, both in the studio and on stage.
The Formative Years: Unconfirmed Beginnings
Before the thunder of Black Sabbath, Iommi honed his craft in early bands like Rockin’ Chevrolets, The Rest, and Mythology. During this nascent period, it’s believed he may have used a Burns Trisonic and a Watkins Rapier.
While photographic or video evidence remains elusive, anecdotal accounts suggest these were among his earliest electric guitars.
It’s noted that his mother purchased a left-handed Watkins Rapier for him, a rare find in those days.
The Genesis of Sabbath: A Brief Strat Affair
In the formative days of Black Sabbath, when they were still known as Earth, Iommi played a mid-1960s Fender Stratocaster. This particular instrument, originally finished in Sunburst, underwent a DIY transformation as Iommi and his father spray-painted it white.
This Stratocaster can be seen in historical footage from his brief stint with Jethro Tull. Crucially, this guitar was also used for the recording of “Wicked World” on Black Sabbath’s groundbreaking debut album.
Pickup Failure Changes History
However, a crucial moment in guitar history occurred when a pickup failed on this Strat during the debut album’s recording sessions, leading Iommi to pick up his backup Gibson SG – a decision that would forever alter his musical trajectory. He later traded the Strat for a saxophone, a fleeting curiosity.
A Rare Sight: The Gibson Les Paul
While the SG became his signature, Iommi was occasionally seen with a Gibson Les Paul. Though specific details about this guitar are scarce, it was most likely a Les Paul Custom.
Top of the Pops
A notable appearance of Iommi wielding a Les Paul was during Black Sabbath’s performance on Top of the Pops in 1978. It’s a striking image to behold him with such a classic, yet less “devilish” shape compared to his SGs.
![Black Sabbath - Never Say Die [totp2]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Skgdq-V06zs/maxresdefault.jpg)
Embracing the Exotic: B.C. Rich Creations
The 1980s saw Iommi experimenting with more flamboyant and cutting-edge designs, leading him to the aggressive aesthetics of B.C. Rich. He owned a B.C. Rich Ironbird Pro, likely built in 1983.
Dual Preamps
This custom instrument was designed with Iommi’s specifications in mind, featuring his signature cross inlays, a Kahler tremolo bridge, and two DiMarzio pickups. Notably, it also included two built-in preamps and a scalloped fretboard, with the fretwork reportedly executed by B.C. Rich master luthier Neal Moser.
This particular guitar gained recognition from its appearance in one of Iommi’s instructional videos from the 1980s.
Mockingbird
Beyond the Ironbird, Iommi reportedly also had a B.C. Rich Mockingbird during the 1980s, primarily used as a backup guitar, although definitive confirmation remains elusive. However, B.C. Rich catalogs from the era show Iommi endorsing their guitars, further supporting his use of their instruments.
The Homegrown Touch: Patrick Eggle Artist Custom
Hailing from the same region of England, luthier Patrick Eggle crafted several guitars for Tony Iommi. Aside from various custom SGs, Iommi also acquired a unique Patrick Eggle Artist Custom model.
Two Models
There were at least two versions of this guitar: one featured the prominent cross inlay on the body and a standard tune-o-matic bridge, while the other lacked the body cross and was equipped with a tremolo bridge.
Brazilian Mahogany
These guitars, built from Brazilian Mahogany with glued-in 24-fret necks and ebony fingerboards with cross inlays, were used by Iommi both live and in the studio during the mid to late 1990s. They were often equipped with twin high-output JD custom humbuckers and Sperzel trimlock tuners.
Production Models
These inspired the production model, which is now a highly sought-after model with Iommi fans.
SG-style Production Model
There was also a production SG-shaped Patrick Eggle model which was available for a short period, for about 2 years from 1995 to 1997.
A Jazzy Detour: Gibson Hollow-Bodies
In a surprising revelation to many fans, Iommi has been seen with hollow-body jazz guitars, reflecting his early inspirations from legends like Django Reinhardt and Joe Pass.
He shared a video in December 2018 showcasing him playing a few chords on his Gibson ES-175.
This classic archtop hollow-body is a far cry from his typical heavy metal axes, highlighting the breadth of his musical appreciation.
The Late 80s and 90s Workhorses: Washburn and Hamer
During the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s, a Washburn EC29 found its way into Iommi’s guitar collection. This instrument was reportedly used extensively in recording sessions for various albums from that era, encompassing both Black Sabbath’s work and his solo material.
Forbidden
The inner sleeve of Black Sabbath’s Forbidden album explicitly mentions Washburn guitars, strongly suggesting their use on that record. Another Washburn-esque guitar, though the exact model remains uncertain, can be spotted in the music video for “No Stranger to Love.”
Hamer Phantom Custom synth guitar
A truly rare and unconventional “super-Strat” style instrument that graced Iommi’s hands at one point was a Hamer Phantom Custom synth guitar.
This unique instrument, seen with Iommi sporting a “lovely sweater,” points to his willingness to experiment with cutting-edge technology of the time.
The Hamer Phantom GT (a similar model) featured Duncan-designed pickups, a set-neck construction for sustain, and a reliable tremolo system.
Glimpses of the Unconventional: Guild, Rickenbacker, and Les Paul Junior
A photograph of Iommi’s collection reveals a striking Guild Bluesbird Custom in a “Salmon Pink” finish. This semi-hollow guitar was reportedly used by Iommi in the studio during the 1980s and 1990s, suggesting its contribution to some of Black Sabbath’s later recordings.
More Guitars
The same photograph also provides fleeting glimpses of other unexpected guitars, including a Rickenbacker 360 and a Les Paul Junior.
Another unexpected guitar in his collection, visible in the photograph, is a Gibson Barney Kessel (far left in the photo above) model. According to Iommi himself, this particular left-handed model was likely manufactured between 1960 and 1965, as Gibson ceased production of left-handed Kessel models after 1965.
The Barney Kessel model is a double-cutaway hollow-body with a distinctive shape, making its presence in Iommi’s arsenal particularly unusual.
While specific details regarding their usage or acquisition by Iommi are scarce, their presence underscores the diverse range of instruments that have passed through his hands over the years.
The Headless Wonder: Steinberger GM4T
For a guitarist known for traditional, often weighty instruments, the sight of Tony Iommi with a headless guitar is quite a departure.
However, in the late 1980s and possibly into the 1990s, he utilized a Steinberger GM4T. This modern and compact instrument was observed in use during a live Black Sabbath performance in 1989, specifically during covers of “Apache.” Steinberger guitars were renowned for their innovative design, stability, and unique tonal characteristics.
![Black Sabbath: Apache [en vivo Rusia '89]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QAGnnPQfMCs/maxresdefault.jpg)
Gibson SG
While Tony Iommi’s legacy will forever be intertwined with the formidable Gibson SG, a deeper dive into his guitar collection reveals a captivating narrative of experimentation, adaptation, and a surprising openness to diverse instruments.
These lesser-known guitars not only highlight Iommi’s personal preferences and influences but also offer a richer understanding of the sonic journey that shaped the sound of heavy metal.
There have been various Gibson and Epiphone signature SG models released over the years, available in right and left-handed versions.
Epiphone Tony Iommi SG Special Left-Handed at Sweetwater
Epiphone Tony Iommi SG Special at Thomann
Epiphone Tony Iommi SG Special Left-Handed at Thomann
#blacksabbath #tonyiommi
This article may contain affiliate links to Gear4Music, Sweetwater, Thomann, and Andertons that help finance the running costs of GuitarBomb. We will receive a small commission if you buy something through these links. Don’t worry; you pay the same price, and it costs you no extra to use these affiliate links for your purchases.
One thought on “Beyond the SG: A Brief History of Tony Iommi’s Unexpected Guitars”
outstanding, thank you