The importance of Tony Iommi and Black Sabbath to the genre of 'heavy metal' cannot be overstated. No Black Sabbath = no heavy metal, and Black Sabbath is really one person - Tony Iommi. Though Geezer's lyrics and wild bass playing, Bill Ward's swinging and unorthodox drumming and Ozzy's charisma played no small part in their early success, the band's direction and music was under the strict command of one man. It can be safely said that Tony Iommi created the musical vocabulary of heavy metal as we know it today. The guitars he used have become as iconic as the music itself.
I will present these guitars in chronological order as they appeared throughout Tony Iommi/Sabbath's career. Obtaining these was a monumental task that took over a decade. Information especially throughout the early years is sparse so if some details are inaccurate please feel free to correct me.
I will present these guitars in chronological order as they appeared throughout Tony Iommi/Sabbath's career. Obtaining these was a monumental task that took over a decade. Information especially throughout the early years is sparse so if some details are inaccurate please feel free to correct me.
John Birch Artist Special 'Never Say Die'
Of course the original Gibson 'Monkey' SG Special is the most important axe in Sabbath history. The first few classic albums were recorded with it. As influential as Tony was in promoting the Gibson SG to the masses since the late 1960s, Gibson never saw fit to acknowledge him with a signature model, until almost 30 years later, with the Gibson CS Tony Iommi Signature SG. Gibson was always too elitist and obtuse in that way. Can we guess that Gibson may release a limited Collector's Choice 'Monkey' SG for $10k or something like that in the future? So anyway there isn't one that you can get as of today.
John Birch was the first to make a guitar to Tony's own specifications, i.e. the original 'crosses' 24 fret SG design, which he used starting in the late 70s and famously seen in footage of the Never Say Die/Heaven & Hell tours. And also still on the Mob Rules tour. Therefore it was used heavily in both Ozzy and Dio eras. Note the period-correct metal pickguard, vintage knobs, and laser-etched mini humbuckers by John Birch. Of course by the time this actual guitar was made, John Birch had already passed away, and they no longer have rights to sell a Tony Iommi model. Hence it is offered as the 'Artist Special' in their catalog.
John Birch was the first to make a guitar to Tony's own specifications, i.e. the original 'crosses' 24 fret SG design, which he used starting in the late 70s and famously seen in footage of the Never Say Die/Heaven & Hell tours. And also still on the Mob Rules tour. Therefore it was used heavily in both Ozzy and Dio eras. Note the period-correct metal pickguard, vintage knobs, and laser-etched mini humbuckers by John Birch. Of course by the time this actual guitar was made, John Birch had already passed away, and they no longer have rights to sell a Tony Iommi model. Hence it is offered as the 'Artist Special' in their catalog.
Jaydee Tony Iommi Custom 'Mob Rules'
Through John Birch, Tony would make a lifelong association with Birmingham luthier John Diggins (Jaydee) who started his own company which is the only one aside from Gibson which has rights to make a Tony Iommi model guitar today. You can try ordering one today, though there is no chance you will get it in less than 2 years. In fact there is a waiting list before they even accept your order. A waiting list to join the waiting list, in other words.
From his website, Jaydee states that the 'Old Boy' SG was made for Tony quite early on (no exact year given), but it would only come to prominence much later in the 80s. The first to appear publicly was this Tony Iommi Custom model in cherry with a rather quaint gold crucifix bridge (fabricated by hand by John Diggins). The combination of cherry stain, different wood tones and gold hardware seems very attractive and regal to me. Online sources state that Tony got his guitar in 1981 and used it on the recording of the 'Mob Rules' album. However some pictures prove that he had already been playing it as early as 1980 on the 'Heaven & Hell' tour. It is even pictured in the Heaven & Hell tour program book! He also used it live on the Born Again tour. It would undergo some modifications and even adopt a tremolo bridge at one point.
From his website, Jaydee states that the 'Old Boy' SG was made for Tony quite early on (no exact year given), but it would only come to prominence much later in the 80s. The first to appear publicly was this Tony Iommi Custom model in cherry with a rather quaint gold crucifix bridge (fabricated by hand by John Diggins). The combination of cherry stain, different wood tones and gold hardware seems very attractive and regal to me. Online sources state that Tony got his guitar in 1981 and used it on the recording of the 'Mob Rules' album. However some pictures prove that he had already been playing it as early as 1980 on the 'Heaven & Hell' tour. It is even pictured in the Heaven & Hell tour program book! He also used it live on the Born Again tour. It would undergo some modifications and even adopt a tremolo bridge at one point.
Jaydee Tony Iommi Custom
Jaydee Tony Iommi 'Old Boy' SG Relic
As mentioned before, Tony got his 'Old Boy' much earlier but despite the name, it's first appearance in official promotional material that I could find is for the 'Headless Cross' video in 1989. He was using it onstage as early as the 'Born Again' tour, and famously on Live Aid '85 with Ozzy. He used it on a lot of 90s material, but was also with Patrick Eggle Guitars for a spell in the mid-90s, before finally receiving his Gibson signature models in 1997.
I think this one pretty much ends all discussion on the most metal guitar ever. This is the first Jaydee guitar I that I custom ordered. It took just under 2 years to be made.
I think this one pretty much ends all discussion on the most metal guitar ever. This is the first Jaydee guitar I that I custom ordered. It took just under 2 years to be made.
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From this pictorial on the left of Tony's stage guitars, we can see that Tony has more than one actual 'Old Boy' SG. In fact the 2 pictured are both replicas. As the original distressed finish was the result of an accident where it was inadvertently left inside a baking hot car, so it appears that Tony had at least 2 more made by John Diggins in the same 'accidental' way to be used onstage in place of the very old original guitar. In that sense, one can be assured that when you order a replica of the Old Boy from Jaydee Guitars, ironically so did Tony Iommi himself.
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Patrick Eggle Tony Iommi Artist Model
Gibson Custom Tony Iommi SG
As Black Sabbath were in negotiations for their reunion in '97, Tony finally got his signature model from Gibson, courtesy of the Custom Art Historic division. Also available in wine red (a darker hue than cherry) but mostly in black, with the infamous sterling silver cross inlays and signature humbuckers. If i'm to be totally honest, the quality of the Gibson Customs are not on a par with Jaydee or even Patrick Eggle's, in that they are well-made as befitting a Custom but they are not 'a cut above' like if you have experienced a Jaydee guitar. But the Gibson co. association must have been much more lucrative, as he was regularly seen with them in publications and live performances from the late 90s to present day. Due to their limited production, and the power of marketing, these are very much in demand today.
Lakland Geezer Butler signature bass
Just as important in the creation of the Black Sabbath mythology were bassist Geezer Butler's lyrics and groundbreaking bass playing. Totally unique in his approach to songwriting, bass tone and playing style. Apparently he even designed 'Henry' (the winged demon image on the wristband). Or at least he named it :) Also, I get the Aston Villa thing, but since when does Geezer even use a pick?? Lol
This beautiful Geezer signature bass is made-to-order by Lakland Guitars in Chicago USA.
This beautiful Geezer signature bass is made-to-order by Lakland Guitars in Chicago USA.
Laney TI100 signed limited edition
More on this in the Amplifiers section.
Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster
This is a perfect reissue of the pedal (well, a box) used by Tony Iommi, Eric Clapton, Brian May, and other rock legends looking for a heavier rock sound in the late 60s. Limited numbered edition by BPC.
Black Country Customs TI Boost
From Laney's custom division Black Country Customs, the Tony Iommi signature boost pedal. His very first signature pedal and strictly limited production.
Tony Iommi signature strap |
