10 Iconic Rock Stars' Guitars
The legends' unique weapons of choice.
There are some guitarists who just don't look right playing something other than their signature axe. Imagine Francis Rossi of Status Quo playing a Les Paul or Tony Iommi playing a Telecaster. How about Hank Marvin with a Flying V or BB King with a Strat? You get the idea. In reality, there's a strong chance that all of those guys probably recorded with a vast array of guitars, but when it comes down to it, they have all firmly nailed their colours to their signature guitar of choice.
Most big name guitarists these days have an endless array of 'signature models' available, plus their own line in amps, effects pedals and even guitar strings, pickups and picks. Part of the iconography of all the legendary six string gunslingers is their weapon of choice. The guitar that actually gets a cheer when the roadie sets it up on the stage before the hero himself even appears.
For this list there are several times when there is more than one guitar that they are inextricably linked to, but ultimately, the guitars listed are the ones that we all covet - the ones we'd splash out the mythical lottery win on. The true ultimate dream machines.
10. Zakk Wylde - Bullseye Les Paul
Zakk Wylde's prowess as a guitarist blessed with blistering chops from hell is unquestionable. Although he might give the appearance of a rampaging Viking berserker, he is actually a pretty sensitive guy when it comes to expressing emotion through the medium of the six string. He's had a number of guitars with which he's been linked, in particular his old Les Paul painted with the Confederate flag.
The 'bullseye' graphic has, however, become his visual ID. He has created a whole string of guitars including Flying Vs and SGs with the unique trademark. Wylde is one of those guitarists that the gear manufacturing companies love - with a signature version of every single piece of equipment he uses. They know that he will inspire legions of Zakk wannabes to shell out big time for what they hope will be the keys to Zakk's sonic kingdom.
That adulation is not wasted on Wylde though. He is a genuinely humble guy with great respect for the legends that have gone before him. When playing with Ozzy he is always quick to cite the work of Randy Rhoads, Jake E Lee and Tony Iommi as being essential components of Ozzy's success, and he revels in the chance to replicate the killer licks of his musical heroes.