This 1958 reissue ‘Flame Top’ Les Paul was built to Billy’s exact specifications by the team at the Gibson Custom Shop in Fall 2013. You can read the full story about how a visit to the Custom Shop whilst on the ‘Electric 13’ tour with The Cult here… My New Gibson Custom Shop ‘Flame Top’

“In March 2014 I took part in the Fender American Design Experience where I created a cool black Telecaster on their website. It was made up to my design spec on the website customizer but as a professional I usually ‘fine tune’ my guitars so the artisan guys at the Fender Custom Shop kindly did some fine tuning it for me.” Billy – October 2014 Read the full story here… The Billy Duffy Custom Fender ‘Esquire’

The custom made Nash ’63 Relic Esquire is a recent addition to Billy’s guitar collection as he only picked it up in 2011. It features a choice of humbucking or single-coil tones (via a pushpull pot) from the Seymour Duncan bridge pickup. Billy explains, “I used this when recording ‘Choice of Weapon’ and a lot of the tracks but particularly on ‘Embers’ so I use it when playing that track live too” Billy Duffy – January 2013

Billy’s custom made Nash ’63 Relic Esquire has become one of his favourites since he picked it up in 2011. So much so that he recently got Bill Nash to make him another but with a twist. Billy explains, “Unlike my first one that features a choice of humbucking or single-coil tones, this new one includes the ‘Duffy’ signature pickup. So I’ve basically added the pickup from my signature Gretsch Falcon to a solid body ‘Fender style’ guitar. It was an experiment that’s turned out great and I’m really enjoying the sound of this style guitar. It also looks great in Inca Silver with rosewood neck… Read the full article.

This custom made ‘Strat’ style guitar is another recent addition to Billy’s collection and has already appeared on music by The Cult as he explains: “Bill Nash, the owner and actual guitar maker is a friend of mine, and when I had the Esquire made I loved it so much that I thought it would be fun to get him make what we called its ‘Evil Twin’ but really it’s more of an ‘Evil Cousin’. I don’t think he normally makes them in this finish but he did for me. We went for the same aesthetics and same paint finish… Read the full article.

From its inaugural appearance in 1937, Gibson’s J-200 set a standard others have been trying to match ever since. Today years later the legacy of Gibson’s “King of the Flat-tops” lives on in the new J-200 Standard. Upon its introduction in the late 1930s, the J-200 immediately filled a need for a deeper, more balanced and powerful sound. It gave purveyors of the new American music scene of the 1930s a reliable, well-built instrument, capable of projecting the sound of the guitar well beyond that of any other acoustic on the market — a fact that still holds true today.… Read the full article.

Like its six string sibling, the F-50, the F-412 twelve string model features a jumbo body and the trademark Guild(r) arched back design that allows it to produce extraordinary volume. Its characteristic articulation, clarity and balance come courtesy of its tight grain Sitka spruce top and figured North American maple back and sides. its smooth playability, exceptional build quality, and premium specifications have made it one of the most sought after twelve string guitars in the world. Billy has had a long relationship with Guild Acoustics as he explains here. “In my opinion Guild Acoustics are very underrated. They’re a… Read the full article.

“Most people now know about me becoming friends with Steven Morrissey in the late 1970s and playing and writing songs together with The Nosebleeds before heading off on our own successful musical careers.In 2017 the film ‘England is Mine’ was released focusing on that period of Morrissey’s life so obviously I was a character in it and even consulted on the movie. To make the scenes of us authentic UK guitar manufacturer Gordon Smith approached to supply guitars based on the one I played in those early days. At the time when I bought it, in Manchester, it was as… Read the full article.