The Guitars of Linkin Park
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Misc. Guitars
This is a page for guitars that are still related to Linkin Park, but either belong to members of the band other than Brad, Mike, or Chester (I won't include Phoenix's basses here, as I'm not very good at keeping track of them, but I will include guitars that Phoenix has played over the years!), or can't be attributed to a particular member (usually guitars seen in studio photos/videos).
*NOTE* To the best of my knowledge, all guitars listed as being in "active touring use" are current as of the end of the One More Light European Tour in July of 2017 for the B and C rigs, and the Hollywood Bowl memorial show for Chester Bennington on October 27th, 2017 for the A rig. With the exception of images embedded from external sources, all images on this page are posted in chronological order in a single Imgur album HERE.
Brand: Paul Reed Smith (PRS)
Model: 2001 Santana SE
Finish: Vintage Cherry
Years Used: 2001-2002 (Tour bus/studio)
Special Features: Fixed bridge
Current Status: Unknown
Notes: Phoenix is seen recording guitar tracks in the back of the band's tour bus with this guitar near the beginning of the Making of Meteora DVD. This guitar was previously used by Mike for a brief portion of the Hybrid Theory touring cycle in early 2001, prior to him acquiring a couple higher-end PRS guitars.
Photo Credit: The Linkin Park Association
Brand: Ibanez
Model: RG470XL
Finish: Black Pearl
Years Used: 2004
Multiple Copies: 4
Special Features: Unknown DiMarzio bridge pickup
Current Status: Sold at auction (#1 and #2)/Donated, on display (Hard Rock Cafe - Denver, CO) (#3)/Unknown (#4)
Notes: Phoenix and Brad routinely swapped instruments to play "Nobody's Listening" on the U.S. leg of the Meteora World Tour in early 2004.
Brand: Unknown
Model: Unknown nylon-string acoustic guitar
Finish: Unknown (Red/black sunburst)
Years Used: 2004 (Signed/briefly played backstage)
Current Status: Unknown
Brand: Paul Reed Smith (PRS)
Years Used: 2005-Present (Studio)
Special Features: Bird inlays
Current Status: Studio use (Phoenix's home studio)
Notes: I didn't know this for many years, but this guitar is actually the same sunburst PRS that Brad used live from 2000-2004. In terms of its relation to Phoenix, it was first seen hanging on the wall at his house in one of the 2007 LPTV episodes (first photo). Due to the relatively low video resolution, I couldn't identify the guitar as being the same as Brad's, so I just assumed it was a different one for a long time. But in 2018, a promo photo for the Member Guest podcast (second photo) featured Mark Fiore, Brendan Steele, and Phoenix all doing a "group jump" with some of Phoenix's instruments. Brendan happens to be holding the same PRS guitar, and now that I finally have a higher resolution shot of it, I can confirm that it's the same guitar Brad used to use - the grain pattern of the flame maple top matches up perfectly.
Photo Credit: Member Guest (Second photo)
Brand: Dean
Model: Unknown (ML series)
Finish: Unknown
Years Used: 2006 (Charity auction)
Special Features: Custom artwork by Joe Hahn
Current Status: Sold at auction
Notes: Joe painted this guitar for the 2006 "Six-Sting Masterpieces" exhibit/auction, which Chester also took part in (see Chester's section for pictures of the guitar he painted). Just like Chester's guitar, this guitar has been listed on eBay several times in the years since the original auction.
Brand: Gold Tone
Model: GT-750 "Banjitar"
Finish: Natural Gloss
Years Used: 2006-2007 (Studio)
Current Status: Unknown
Notes: This is an electric 6-string banjo/guitar hybrid instrument that was used in the studio during the Minutes to Midnight recording sessions. Specifically, it was one of numerous instruments the band experimented with on the intro to "Shadow of the Day." The banjo didn't end up being used on the final recording, however. Not sure which member of the band actually used the banjo during the recording sessions, hence why it's in the "Misc." section. Also, if you're wondering what a "banjitar" is, it's basically a banjo with 6 strings on it that's tuned in fourths, like a regular guitar. A "traditional" banjo has 4 or 5 strings, and is either tuned in fifths, or to an open tuning (most commonly open G). The "banjitar" was invented as a way for guitar players to play a banjo without having to learn new scales and chord shapes.
Brand: Takamine
Model: Unknown Dragon series acoustic-electric guitar
Finish: Natural Gloss
Years Used: 2007-2017 (Backstage)
Multiple Copies: 6
Current Status: Active touring use (As of 2017 - backstage guitars)
Notes: These guitars are well-documented on all three of the other "main" members' pages, but I wanted to make note that the band's "communal" Takamine acoustic guitars have also been used by Joe and Phoenix as well. This photo of Joe with one of the guitars comes from the Mercedes "50 Years of AMG" video on Youtube, and while they're recent 2017 photos, I know for a fact the guys in the band have all played around with these guitars since they were acquired in 2007, so I backdated the "years used" description to that point even though I didn't add this entry to the site until 2017. This entry was originally for both Joe and Phoenix, but Phoenix did end up using one of these guitars on stage at one point (see below), so I made a separate entry for him.
Photo Credit: Mercedes AMG
Brand: Takamine
Model: Unknown Dragon series acoustic-electric guitar
Finish: Natural Gloss
Years Used: 2007-2017 (Backstage), 2017 (One show)
Multiple Copies: 6
Current Status: Active touring use (As of 2017 - backstage guitars)
Notes: Phoenix has also been using the band's "communal" Takamine acoustic guitars backstage ever since they were acquired in 2007 (first photo), but he also used one of them to play the second guitar part on "Sharp Edges" at the Chester tribute show in October of 2017 as well (second photo).
Photo Credit: Mercedes AMG (First photo)
Brand: Paul Reed Smith (PRS)
Model: Custom 24
Finish: Black
Years Used: 2007
Special Features: Custom artwork by Mike Shinoda, X-shaped inlays
Current Status: Active touring use (As of 2017 - Mike Shinoda)
Notes: In 2007, Phoenix began playing guitar on a couple songs from Minutes to Midnight, "Leave Out All the Rest" and "Hands Held High." In the case of the former, since he played rhythm guitar with Brad handling the lead part as usual, Phoenix always used one of the guitars from Mike's rig for the job. For the European tour in the spring of 2007, he used Mike's "spraypaint" PRS.
Brand: Paul Reed Smith (PRS)
Model: Custom 24
Finish: Royal Blue
Years Used: 2007-2008
Special Features: Bird inlays, custom artwork by Mike Shinoda (added November 2007)
Current Status: Active touring use (As of 2017 - Mike Shinoda)
Notes: For most of the second half of 2007, as well as some shows in 2008, Phoenix used Mike's blue Custom 24 on "Leave Out All the Rest." He used this guitar both before (first photo) and after (second photo) Mike painted the skull artwork on the guitar.
Brand: Paul Reed Smith (PRS)
Model: Custom 24
Finish: Black Cherry
Years Used: 2007-2008
Current Status: Active touring use (As of 2017 - Brad Delson)
Notes: While Phoenix used guitars from Mike's rig for "Leave Out All the Rest," "Hands Held High" was a bit of a different story - since Phoenix was the only one playing guitar on that song (Brad played keyboards), he used guitars from Brad's rig instead. I'm sure he probably used multiple guitars for the song at different points, but the only one I've been able to confirm so far is the red Custom 24 that Brad typically uses as an Eb-tuned guitar.
*NOTE* To the best of my knowledge, all guitars listed as being in "active touring use" are current as of the end of the One More Light European Tour in July of 2017 for the B and C rigs, and the Hollywood Bowl memorial show for Chester Bennington on October 27th, 2017 for the A rig. With the exception of images embedded from external sources, all images on this page are posted in chronological order in a single Imgur album HERE.
Brand: Paul Reed Smith (PRS)
Model: 2001 Santana SE
Finish: Vintage Cherry
Years Used: 2001-2002 (Tour bus/studio)
Special Features: Fixed bridge
Current Status: Unknown
Notes: Phoenix is seen recording guitar tracks in the back of the band's tour bus with this guitar near the beginning of the Making of Meteora DVD. This guitar was previously used by Mike for a brief portion of the Hybrid Theory touring cycle in early 2001, prior to him acquiring a couple higher-end PRS guitars.
Photo Credit: The Linkin Park Association
Brand: Ibanez
Model: RG470XL
Finish: Black Pearl
Years Used: 2004
Multiple Copies: 4
Special Features: Unknown DiMarzio bridge pickup
Current Status: Sold at auction (#1 and #2)/Donated, on display (Hard Rock Cafe - Denver, CO) (#3)/Unknown (#4)
Notes: Phoenix and Brad routinely swapped instruments to play "Nobody's Listening" on the U.S. leg of the Meteora World Tour in early 2004.
Brand: Unknown
Model: Unknown nylon-string acoustic guitar
Finish: Unknown (Red/black sunburst)
Years Used: 2004 (Signed/briefly played backstage)
Current Status: Unknown
Notes: Joe can be seen messing around with this guitar a bit during the "Birthday Cockroach" LPUTV video from the European tour in mid-2004. This was filmed at a meet and greet, and the guitar is clearly in the process of being signed, so it belonged to a fan. I have no idea what brand/model this guitar is.
Brand: Paul Reed Smith (PRS)
Model: Custom 24
Finish: Violin Amber SunburstYears Used: 2005-Present (Studio)
Special Features: Bird inlays
Current Status: Studio use (Phoenix's home studio)
Notes: I didn't know this for many years, but this guitar is actually the same sunburst PRS that Brad used live from 2000-2004. In terms of its relation to Phoenix, it was first seen hanging on the wall at his house in one of the 2007 LPTV episodes (first photo). Due to the relatively low video resolution, I couldn't identify the guitar as being the same as Brad's, so I just assumed it was a different one for a long time. But in 2018, a promo photo for the Member Guest podcast (second photo) featured Mark Fiore, Brendan Steele, and Phoenix all doing a "group jump" with some of Phoenix's instruments. Brendan happens to be holding the same PRS guitar, and now that I finally have a higher resolution shot of it, I can confirm that it's the same guitar Brad used to use - the grain pattern of the flame maple top matches up perfectly.
Photo Credit: Member Guest (Second photo)
Brand: Dean
Model: Unknown (ML series)
Finish: Unknown
Years Used: 2006 (Charity auction)
Special Features: Custom artwork by Joe Hahn
Current Status: Sold at auction
Notes: Joe painted this guitar for the 2006 "Six-Sting Masterpieces" exhibit/auction, which Chester also took part in (see Chester's section for pictures of the guitar he painted). Just like Chester's guitar, this guitar has been listed on eBay several times in the years since the original auction.
Brand: Gold Tone
Model: GT-750 "Banjitar"
Finish: Natural Gloss
Years Used: 2006-2007 (Studio)
Current Status: Unknown
Notes: This is an electric 6-string banjo/guitar hybrid instrument that was used in the studio during the Minutes to Midnight recording sessions. Specifically, it was one of numerous instruments the band experimented with on the intro to "Shadow of the Day." The banjo didn't end up being used on the final recording, however. Not sure which member of the band actually used the banjo during the recording sessions, hence why it's in the "Misc." section. Also, if you're wondering what a "banjitar" is, it's basically a banjo with 6 strings on it that's tuned in fourths, like a regular guitar. A "traditional" banjo has 4 or 5 strings, and is either tuned in fifths, or to an open tuning (most commonly open G). The "banjitar" was invented as a way for guitar players to play a banjo without having to learn new scales and chord shapes.
Photo Credit: Mike Shinoda
Brand: Fernandes
Model: ZO-3 Art Rock Series Summer Sonic 2006 Limited Edition
Finish: White
Years Used: 2006-Present (Studio)
Special Features: Gold hardware, maple neck, custom "3rd Guitar" artwork w/Summer Sonic commemorative logos
Current Status: Studio use (Phoenix's home studio)
Notes: A 2018 promo photo for the Member Guest podcast featured Mark Fiore, Brendan Steele, and Phoenix all doing a "group jump" with some of Phoenix's instruments. The guitar Phoenix has is one that I'd never seen before, and it turned out to be a tough one to track down. It looks a lot like a Fernandes Nomad travel guitar, but I couldn't find one exactly like it. It turns out that the Japanese market version of the Nomad is branded as the ZO-3, and Fernandes has offered several "Art Rock Series" editions of it with custom artwork. I found one with identical artwork to this one called the "3rd Guitar" edition, but even that wasn't an exact match, as that version has a rosewood fretboard with block inlays, while this one has a maple fretboard with dots. Finally, I discovered that there was a special commemorative edition of the guitar with identical artwork released in conjunction with the 2006 Summer Sonic festival (which Linkin Park performed at), which features a maple fretboard with dots, as well as a couple additional Summer Sonic logos on the body and headstock. I'd assume the band acquired one of these guitars as part of their performance at the festival, and for whatever reason, Phoenix was the one who ended up keeping it.
Photo Credit: Member Guest
Model: ZO-3 Art Rock Series Summer Sonic 2006 Limited Edition
Finish: White
Years Used: 2006-Present (Studio)
Special Features: Gold hardware, maple neck, custom "3rd Guitar" artwork w/Summer Sonic commemorative logos
Current Status: Studio use (Phoenix's home studio)
Notes: A 2018 promo photo for the Member Guest podcast featured Mark Fiore, Brendan Steele, and Phoenix all doing a "group jump" with some of Phoenix's instruments. The guitar Phoenix has is one that I'd never seen before, and it turned out to be a tough one to track down. It looks a lot like a Fernandes Nomad travel guitar, but I couldn't find one exactly like it. It turns out that the Japanese market version of the Nomad is branded as the ZO-3, and Fernandes has offered several "Art Rock Series" editions of it with custom artwork. I found one with identical artwork to this one called the "3rd Guitar" edition, but even that wasn't an exact match, as that version has a rosewood fretboard with block inlays, while this one has a maple fretboard with dots. Finally, I discovered that there was a special commemorative edition of the guitar with identical artwork released in conjunction with the 2006 Summer Sonic festival (which Linkin Park performed at), which features a maple fretboard with dots, as well as a couple additional Summer Sonic logos on the body and headstock. I'd assume the band acquired one of these guitars as part of their performance at the festival, and for whatever reason, Phoenix was the one who ended up keeping it.
Photo Credit: Member Guest
Brand: Takamine
Model: Unknown Dragon series acoustic-electric guitar
Finish: Natural Gloss
Years Used: 2007-2017 (Backstage)
Multiple Copies: 6
Current Status: Active touring use (As of 2017 - backstage guitars)
Notes: These guitars are well-documented on all three of the other "main" members' pages, but I wanted to make note that the band's "communal" Takamine acoustic guitars have also been used by Joe and Phoenix as well. This photo of Joe with one of the guitars comes from the Mercedes "50 Years of AMG" video on Youtube, and while they're recent 2017 photos, I know for a fact the guys in the band have all played around with these guitars since they were acquired in 2007, so I backdated the "years used" description to that point even though I didn't add this entry to the site until 2017. This entry was originally for both Joe and Phoenix, but Phoenix did end up using one of these guitars on stage at one point (see below), so I made a separate entry for him.
Photo Credit: Mercedes AMG
Brand: Takamine
Model: Unknown Dragon series acoustic-electric guitar
Finish: Natural Gloss
Years Used: 2007-2017 (Backstage), 2017 (One show)
Multiple Copies: 6
Current Status: Active touring use (As of 2017 - backstage guitars)
Notes: Phoenix has also been using the band's "communal" Takamine acoustic guitars backstage ever since they were acquired in 2007 (first photo), but he also used one of them to play the second guitar part on "Sharp Edges" at the Chester tribute show in October of 2017 as well (second photo).
Photo Credit: Mercedes AMG (First photo)
Brand: Paul Reed Smith (PRS)
Model: Custom 24
Finish: Black
Years Used: 2007
Special Features: Custom artwork by Mike Shinoda, X-shaped inlays
Current Status: Active touring use (As of 2017 - Mike Shinoda)
Notes: In 2007, Phoenix began playing guitar on a couple songs from Minutes to Midnight, "Leave Out All the Rest" and "Hands Held High." In the case of the former, since he played rhythm guitar with Brad handling the lead part as usual, Phoenix always used one of the guitars from Mike's rig for the job. For the European tour in the spring of 2007, he used Mike's "spraypaint" PRS.
Brand: Paul Reed Smith (PRS)
Model: Custom 24
Finish: Royal Blue
Years Used: 2007-2008
Special Features: Bird inlays, custom artwork by Mike Shinoda (added November 2007)
Current Status: Active touring use (As of 2017 - Mike Shinoda)
Notes: For most of the second half of 2007, as well as some shows in 2008, Phoenix used Mike's blue Custom 24 on "Leave Out All the Rest." He used this guitar both before (first photo) and after (second photo) Mike painted the skull artwork on the guitar.
Brand: Paul Reed Smith (PRS)
Model: Custom 24
Finish: Black Cherry
Years Used: 2007-2008
Current Status: Active touring use (As of 2017 - Brad Delson)
Notes: While Phoenix used guitars from Mike's rig for "Leave Out All the Rest," "Hands Held High" was a bit of a different story - since Phoenix was the only one playing guitar on that song (Brad played keyboards), he used guitars from Brad's rig instead. I'm sure he probably used multiple guitars for the song at different points, but the only one I've been able to confirm so far is the red Custom 24 that Brad typically uses as an Eb-tuned guitar.
Brand: Epiphone
Model: DR-200S
Finish: Natural
Years Used: 2007 (One appearance)
Special Features: Autographed by various celebrities/musicians
Current Status: Sold at charity auction (May 2008)
Notes: While Linkin Park was in Las Vegas for the festivities surrounding Rolling Stone Magazine's 40th anniversary in September of 2007, Joe was one of many musicians and celebrities who autographed this guitar, and he was photographed with it on September 8th (other notable signatures on the guitar include Nelly, Ludacris, David Banner, Joss Stone, Kevin Smith, and many others). The guitar was subsequently auctioned off on May 31st, 2008 as part of the "Icons of Music" auction benefiting U2's Music Rising charity.
Photo Credit: Amy Graves/WireImage via Getty Images
Brand: Paul Reed Smith (PRS)
Model: Standard 22
Finish: Satin Vintage Mahogany
Years Used: 2008
Special Features: Bird inlays, unknown DiMarzio bridge pickup
Current Status: Active touring use (As of 2017 - Brad Delson)
Notes: Phoenix used this guitar on "Leave Out All the Rest" occasionally in 2008, most notably on the Road to Revolution DVD. While this guitar is currently being used by Brad (and has been for some time), it was a backup in Mike's rig during the Minutes to Midnight period, which is why Phoenix ended up using it (he always uses Mike's guitars on "Leave Out All the Rest").
Brand: Paul Reed Smith (PRS)
Model: Custom 24
Finish: Royal Blue
Years Used: 2009
Special Features: Bird inlays
Current Status: Active touring use (As of 2017 - Mike Shinoda)
Brand: Paul Reed Smith (PRS)
Model: SE Custom 24
Finish: Cherry Sunburst
Years Used: 2010 (Studio), 2011 (Donated)
Special Features: Signed by band (2011)
Current Status: Donated/On display (Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Las Vegas)
Notes: This guitar initially showed up in a 2010 studio photo during the making of A Thousand Suns (first photo), but it appeared to be sitting with some other band-related merchandise, as if it was something the band planned on signing/giving away. It was ultimately donated to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas the following year as part of a small Linkin Park exhibit (second photo).
Photo Credit: Mike Shinoda (First photo)
Brand: Paul Reed Smith (PRS)
Model: CE 24
Finish: Royal Blue
Years Used: 2010
Current Status: Active touring use (As of 2017 - Mike Shinoda)
Notes: "Leave Out All the Rest" wasn't played for the majority of the A Thousand Suns tour, but it did make a few appearances in late 2010. Phoenix used Mike's blue CE 24 for those performances.
Brand: Starr Labs
Model: Ztar (Custom)
Finish: Black
Years Used: 2011-2012, 2014-2015
Current Status: Unknown
Notes: Phoenix used this instrument for performances of "Blackout" starting in June of 2011 (he used an Akai MPC for performances of the song prior to that). "Blackout" doesn't feature any "real" bass, so Phoenix plays the synth bass parts using a custom-built Ztar, which is a guitar-shaped MIDI controller. This instrument was also used for performances of the shortened instrumental version of "Blackout" in 2014 and 2015. Given that this was a custom instrument and a pretty high-tech one at that, I'd imagine Phoenix still has it, but I really can't be sure, since it was never used for anything other than that one song.
Photo Credit: Mike Shinoda
Brand: Pignose
Model: PGG-200
Finish: Metallic Blue
Years Used: 2013 (Studio)
Special Features: Tortoise shell pickguard, built-in amplifier
Current Status: Studio use (Mike's home studio)
Notes: An Omaze contest was held in 2013 where the winner could meet the band in the studio, and this photo was used to promote it. It features Joe holding Mike's Pignose guitar that has been seen on several other occasions over the years.
Photo Credit: Omaze/Linkin Park
Brand: Takamine
Model: EF325SRC
Finish: Cherry
Years Used: 2013 (One show)
Current Status: Unknown
Notes: Phoenix used this guitar to perform "The Messenger" with Chester at a benefit show in Salt Lake City in June of 2013. This is actually a fairly rare '90s model Takamine guitar with a somewhat "non-traditional" inlay layout - there's no inlay at the 3rd fret, and the 7th fret inlay is doubled just like the 12th.
Brand: Fender
Model: J Mascis Signature Jazzmaster
Finish: Purple Sparkle
Years Used: 2013-2014 (Studio)
Current Status: Owned by Ethan Mates
Notes: This is a Jazzmaster that was photographed in the studio in 2013. While the photo initially looks like something horrible happened to it, it looks like the screws are all gone from the pickguard, and the strings are definitely in the process of being re-strung, so I think this was just a shot of the guitar in the middle of receiving some maintenance and they put it on the floor to make it look like an accident for the sake of the photo? Anyway, I originally thought this was a vintage Jazzmaster, but the metal flake finish and electronics layout has me thinking it's probably the J Mascis signature model (the Fender Japan version made from 2007-2011, not the more recent white-finished version offered by Squier). This guitar is another one from Ethan Mates' personal collection (it showed up in another photo of his the following year).
Photo Credit: Mike Shinoda
Brand: Teisco Del Rey
Model: ET-220 Spectrum 2
Finish: Royal Blue
Years Used: 2013-2014 (Studio)
Special Features: Vine accents on pickguard
Current Status: Owned by Ethan Mates
Notes: While it can't be seen very easily in this picture, the third guitar in the rack here is a VERY unusual mid-60's Teisco model. There were numerous variants of the "Spectrum" line, this one has 2 pickups and a "Bigsby-style" vibrato tailpiece. This guitar also has more extensive "vine work" on the pickguard than I've seen on most other Spectrum 2's from this era, so this one may be an even more unusual model. This guitar can be seen better in photos on Ethan Mates' Instagram page.
Photo Credit: Linkin Park
Brand: Fender
Model: 1973 Mustang
Finish: Competition Blue
Years Used: 2013-2017 (Studio)
Special Features: White "racing stripes"
Current Status: Owned by Ethan Mates
Notes: The fourth guitar in the rack (first photo) is a blue Fender Mustang with racing stripes (not the Kurt Cobain model, this one doesn't have a humbucker in the bridge). This guitar can be seen better in photos on Ethan Mates' Instagram page, and was dated as a 1973 Mustang in a 2014 interview with Premier Guitar. This guitar made another appearance in a late 2016 studio photo, sitting on a stand next to Mike (second photo), so this one's actually stuck around for the making of two consecutive albums.
Photo Credit: Linkin Park
Brand: MJT Guitars
Model: VTT
Finish: Daphne Blue
Years Used: 2013-2017 (Studio)
Current Status: Owned by Ethan Mates
Notes: This is a Telecaster copy built by MJT Guitars (a company that specializes in custom finishes on made-to-order guitars). This guitar was used in the studio during the recording of The Hunting Party, as well as sessions for One More Light in 2016.
Photo Credit: Ethan Mates
Brand: Fender
Model: Unknown (Stratocaster)
Finish: Black
Years Used: 2013-Present (Studio)
Current Status: Studio use (Joe's home studio)
Notes: This is one of 3 guitars Joe has at his home studio (the others being a Takamine acoustic that can be seen on Chester's page, and a PRS that I don't currently have a photo of). Joe actually DOES play guitar a little bit (I've even personally seen him messing around on an acoustic guitar at an LPU Meet & Greet), so I'd assume he keeps a few around for rough demo ideas, or for occasions when the band is recording at his house.
Brand: Martin
Model: Unknown
Finish: Unknown (Natural)
Years Used: 2016-2017 (Studio)
Current Status: Owned by Ethan Mates
Notes: Phoenix was photographed with this acoustic guitar in the studio in 2016, it's a Martin that's been seen in the hands of a couple other band members in the studio recently (see Brad and Chester's pages).
Photo Credit: Linkin Park
Brand: Gibson
Model: SG Standard (Early '90s model)
Finish: Ebony
Years Used: 2017
Current Status: Active touring use (As of 2017 - D A D G B E guitar in A rig, also used by Mike Shinoda)
Notes: When the full version of "Leave Out All the Rest" returned to the live show in 2017, Phoenix once again played rhythm guitar instead of bass on it. The band also started playing it in Drop D instead of tuned down half a step like they had in the past. As such, Phoenix took to using Mike's Gibson SG's on the song. Here he is using his black SG Standard in the A rig.
Photo Credit: Vorterix
Brand: Gibson
Model: SG Special
Finish: Ferrari Red
Years Used: 2017
Current Status: Active touring use (As of 2017 - D A D G B E guitar in B rig, also used by Mike Shinoda)
Notes: Here's Phoenix using Mike's red SG Special on "Leave Out All the Rest" in the B rig.
Photo Credit: iHeartRadio
Brand: Gibson
Model: SG Special
Finish: Ebony
Years Used: 2017
Current Status: Active touring use (Mike Shinoda solo tour, was also D A D G B E guitar in C rig as of 2017/also used by Mike Shinoda)
Brand: Fender
Model: Unknown (Stratocaster - Custom Shop, late '60s reissue)
Finish: Olympic White
Years Used: 2017 (One show)
Current Status: Active touring use (Mike Shinoda solo tour)
Finish: Natural
Years Used: 2007 (One appearance)
Special Features: Autographed by various celebrities/musicians
Current Status: Sold at charity auction (May 2008)
Notes: While Linkin Park was in Las Vegas for the festivities surrounding Rolling Stone Magazine's 40th anniversary in September of 2007, Joe was one of many musicians and celebrities who autographed this guitar, and he was photographed with it on September 8th (other notable signatures on the guitar include Nelly, Ludacris, David Banner, Joss Stone, Kevin Smith, and many others). The guitar was subsequently auctioned off on May 31st, 2008 as part of the "Icons of Music" auction benefiting U2's Music Rising charity.
Photo Credit: Amy Graves/WireImage via Getty Images
Brand: Paul Reed Smith (PRS)
Model: Standard 22
Finish: Satin Vintage Mahogany
Years Used: 2008
Special Features: Bird inlays, unknown DiMarzio bridge pickup
Current Status: Active touring use (As of 2017 - Brad Delson)
Notes: Phoenix used this guitar on "Leave Out All the Rest" occasionally in 2008, most notably on the Road to Revolution DVD. While this guitar is currently being used by Brad (and has been for some time), it was a backup in Mike's rig during the Minutes to Midnight period, which is why Phoenix ended up using it (he always uses Mike's guitars on "Leave Out All the Rest").
Brand: Paul Reed Smith (PRS)
Model: Custom 24
Finish: Royal Blue
Years Used: 2009
Special Features: Bird inlays
Current Status: Active touring use (As of 2017 - Mike Shinoda)
Notes: Once Mike acquired a second blue Custom 24 in 2009, Phoenix also used it for some performances of "Leave Out All the Rest" during the band's summer tour that year.
Brand: Gibson
Model: Les Paul Custom
Finish: Ebony
Years Used: 2009 (Studio)
Current Status: Unknown
Model: Les Paul Custom
Finish: Ebony
Years Used: 2009 (Studio)
Current Status: Unknown
Notes: Mike posted this picture on his old blog in 2009 with a caption something along the lines of "Phoenix and the world's hardest chord." As far as I can tell, this is the same Les Paul Custom that was photographed a few times during the Minutes to Midnight recording sessions, meaning it likely belonged to either Rick Rubin or Ethan Mates at the time.
Photo Credit: Mike Shinoda
Brand: Paul Reed Smith (PRS)
Model: SE Custom 24
Finish: Cherry Sunburst
Years Used: 2010 (Studio), 2011 (Donated)
Special Features: Signed by band (2011)
Current Status: Donated/On display (Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Las Vegas)
Notes: This guitar initially showed up in a 2010 studio photo during the making of A Thousand Suns (first photo), but it appeared to be sitting with some other band-related merchandise, as if it was something the band planned on signing/giving away. It was ultimately donated to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas the following year as part of a small Linkin Park exhibit (second photo).
Photo Credit: Mike Shinoda (First photo)
Brand: Paul Reed Smith (PRS)
Model: CE 24
Finish: Royal Blue
Years Used: 2010
Current Status: Active touring use (As of 2017 - Mike Shinoda)
Notes: "Leave Out All the Rest" wasn't played for the majority of the A Thousand Suns tour, but it did make a few appearances in late 2010. Phoenix used Mike's blue CE 24 for those performances.
Brand: Starr Labs
Model: Ztar (Custom)
Finish: Black
Years Used: 2011-2012, 2014-2015
Current Status: Unknown
Notes: Phoenix used this instrument for performances of "Blackout" starting in June of 2011 (he used an Akai MPC for performances of the song prior to that). "Blackout" doesn't feature any "real" bass, so Phoenix plays the synth bass parts using a custom-built Ztar, which is a guitar-shaped MIDI controller. This instrument was also used for performances of the shortened instrumental version of "Blackout" in 2014 and 2015. Given that this was a custom instrument and a pretty high-tech one at that, I'd imagine Phoenix still has it, but I really can't be sure, since it was never used for anything other than that one song.
Photo Credit: Mike Shinoda
Brand: Pignose
Model: PGG-200
Finish: Metallic Blue
Years Used: 2013 (Studio)
Special Features: Tortoise shell pickguard, built-in amplifier
Current Status: Studio use (Mike's home studio)
Notes: An Omaze contest was held in 2013 where the winner could meet the band in the studio, and this photo was used to promote it. It features Joe holding Mike's Pignose guitar that has been seen on several other occasions over the years.
Photo Credit: Omaze/Linkin Park
Brand: Takamine
Model: EF325SRC
Finish: Cherry
Years Used: 2013 (One show)
Current Status: Unknown
Notes: Phoenix used this guitar to perform "The Messenger" with Chester at a benefit show in Salt Lake City in June of 2013. This is actually a fairly rare '90s model Takamine guitar with a somewhat "non-traditional" inlay layout - there's no inlay at the 3rd fret, and the 7th fret inlay is doubled just like the 12th.
Brand: Fender
Model: J Mascis Signature Jazzmaster
Finish: Purple Sparkle
Years Used: 2013-2014 (Studio)
Current Status: Owned by Ethan Mates
Notes: This is a Jazzmaster that was photographed in the studio in 2013. While the photo initially looks like something horrible happened to it, it looks like the screws are all gone from the pickguard, and the strings are definitely in the process of being re-strung, so I think this was just a shot of the guitar in the middle of receiving some maintenance and they put it on the floor to make it look like an accident for the sake of the photo? Anyway, I originally thought this was a vintage Jazzmaster, but the metal flake finish and electronics layout has me thinking it's probably the J Mascis signature model (the Fender Japan version made from 2007-2011, not the more recent white-finished version offered by Squier). This guitar is another one from Ethan Mates' personal collection (it showed up in another photo of his the following year).
Photo Credit: Mike Shinoda
Brand: Teisco Del Rey
Model: ET-220 Spectrum 2
Finish: Royal Blue
Years Used: 2013-2014 (Studio)
Special Features: Vine accents on pickguard
Current Status: Owned by Ethan Mates
Notes: While it can't be seen very easily in this picture, the third guitar in the rack here is a VERY unusual mid-60's Teisco model. There were numerous variants of the "Spectrum" line, this one has 2 pickups and a "Bigsby-style" vibrato tailpiece. This guitar also has more extensive "vine work" on the pickguard than I've seen on most other Spectrum 2's from this era, so this one may be an even more unusual model. This guitar can be seen better in photos on Ethan Mates' Instagram page.
Photo Credit: Linkin Park
Brand: Fender
Model: 1973 Mustang
Finish: Competition Blue
Years Used: 2013-2017 (Studio)
Special Features: White "racing stripes"
Current Status: Owned by Ethan Mates
Notes: The fourth guitar in the rack (first photo) is a blue Fender Mustang with racing stripes (not the Kurt Cobain model, this one doesn't have a humbucker in the bridge). This guitar can be seen better in photos on Ethan Mates' Instagram page, and was dated as a 1973 Mustang in a 2014 interview with Premier Guitar. This guitar made another appearance in a late 2016 studio photo, sitting on a stand next to Mike (second photo), so this one's actually stuck around for the making of two consecutive albums.
Photo Credit: Linkin Park
Brand: MJT Guitars
Model: VTT
Finish: Daphne Blue
Years Used: 2013-2017 (Studio)
Current Status: Owned by Ethan Mates
Notes: This is a Telecaster copy built by MJT Guitars (a company that specializes in custom finishes on made-to-order guitars). This guitar was used in the studio during the recording of The Hunting Party, as well as sessions for One More Light in 2016.
Photo Credit: Ethan Mates
Brand: Fender
Model: Unknown (Stratocaster)
Finish: Black
Years Used: 2013-Present (Studio)
Current Status: Studio use (Joe's home studio)
Notes: This is one of 3 guitars Joe has at his home studio (the others being a Takamine acoustic that can be seen on Chester's page, and a PRS that I don't currently have a photo of). Joe actually DOES play guitar a little bit (I've even personally seen him messing around on an acoustic guitar at an LPU Meet & Greet), so I'd assume he keeps a few around for rough demo ideas, or for occasions when the band is recording at his house.
Brand: Martin
Model: Unknown
Finish: Unknown (Natural)
Years Used: 2016-2017 (Studio)
Current Status: Owned by Ethan Mates
Notes: Phoenix was photographed with this acoustic guitar in the studio in 2016, it's a Martin that's been seen in the hands of a couple other band members in the studio recently (see Brad and Chester's pages).
Photo Credit: Linkin Park
Brand: Gibson
Model: SG Standard (Early '90s model)
Finish: Ebony
Years Used: 2017
Current Status: Active touring use (As of 2017 - D A D G B E guitar in A rig, also used by Mike Shinoda)
Notes: When the full version of "Leave Out All the Rest" returned to the live show in 2017, Phoenix once again played rhythm guitar instead of bass on it. The band also started playing it in Drop D instead of tuned down half a step like they had in the past. As such, Phoenix took to using Mike's Gibson SG's on the song. Here he is using his black SG Standard in the A rig.
Photo Credit: Vorterix
Brand: Gibson
Model: SG Special
Finish: Ferrari Red
Years Used: 2017
Current Status: Active touring use (As of 2017 - D A D G B E guitar in B rig, also used by Mike Shinoda)
Notes: Here's Phoenix using Mike's red SG Special on "Leave Out All the Rest" in the B rig.
Photo Credit: iHeartRadio
Brand: Gibson
Model: SG Special
Finish: Ebony
Years Used: 2017
Current Status: Active touring use (Mike Shinoda solo tour, was also D A D G B E guitar in C rig as of 2017/also used by Mike Shinoda)
Notes: Here's Phoenix using Mike's black SG Special on "Leave Out All the Rest" in the C rig.
Brand: Zager
Model: Unknown (parlor acoustic guitar)
Finish: Mahogany
Model: Unknown (parlor acoustic guitar)
Finish: Mahogany
Years Used: 2017 (One show)
Current Status: Unknown
Notes: When Linkin Park played a surprise semi-acoustic set in the New York City subway system on May 16th, 2017, the band used some unconventional instrumentation, which included Phoenix playing this little parlor guitar instead of playing bass. Zager is a pretty small company, so it took me a while to figure out what this guitar was! It looks just like Zager's current-model parlor acoustic guitars, except this one has a pickguard.
Brand: Fender
Model: Unknown (Stratocaster - Custom Shop, late '60s reissue)
Finish: Olympic White
Years Used: 2017 (One show)
Current Status: Active touring use (Mike Shinoda solo tour)
Notes: As mentioned on Mike's page, for the performance of "Shadow of the Day" at the Chester tribute show in October of 2017, Mike played bass and Phoenix played guitar. He used Mike's white A rig Strat for the song.
Brand: Fender
Model: Classic Player '50s Stratocaster
Finish: Shoreline Gold
Years Used: 2018 (One show)
Special Features: Custom artwork by Mike
Current Status: Active touring use (Mike Shinoda solo tour)
Notes: Phoenix made a guest appearance playing guitar on "Running from My Shadow" at Mike's solo show at the Loveloud festival on July 28th, 2018. He used Mike's custom-painted gold Strat for the song.
Photo Credit: Loveloud/AT&T
Model: Classic Player '50s Stratocaster
Finish: Shoreline Gold
Years Used: 2018 (One show)
Special Features: Custom artwork by Mike
Current Status: Active touring use (Mike Shinoda solo tour)
Notes: Phoenix made a guest appearance playing guitar on "Running from My Shadow" at Mike's solo show at the Loveloud festival on July 28th, 2018. He used Mike's custom-painted gold Strat for the song.
Photo Credit: Loveloud/AT&T
Brand: Fender
Model: California Series FAT Telecaster
Model: California Series FAT Telecaster
Finish: Candy Apple Red
Years Used: 2018-Present
Years Used: 2018-Present
Current Status: Active touring use (Matthias Harris - E A D G B E guitar in Mike solo tour A rig)
Notes: When Mike's solo tour reached the United States in the fall of 2018, Matt Harris stopped using Mike's white Strat as his main guitar, and instead started using this red Telecaster, which is a fairly uncommon late '90s model with a humbucker in the neck. Unlike all of the other guitars he'd previously used while touring with Mike, this guitar actually belongs to Matt (which is why it's featured here instead of on Mike's page).
Photo Credit: Chady Awad/Matthias Harris
Notes: When Mike's solo tour reached the United States in the fall of 2018, Matt Harris stopped using Mike's white Strat as his main guitar, and instead started using this red Telecaster, which is a fairly uncommon late '90s model with a humbucker in the neck. Unlike all of the other guitars he'd previously used while touring with Mike, this guitar actually belongs to Matt (which is why it's featured here instead of on Mike's page).
Photo Credit: Chady Awad/Matthias Harris
Brand: D'Angelico
Model: Deluxe 175
Finish: Matte Rose Pink
Years Used: 2018-Present
Current Status: Active touring use (Matthias Harris - E A D G B E alternate guitar in Mike solo tour A rig)
Notes: Midway through the U.S. leg of the Post Traumatic tour, Matt Harris acquired a new D'Angelico hollowbody and integrated it into the A rig. It's in standard tuning just like his Telecaster, but he uses it as an alternate guitar for certain songs, most frequently the "Waiting for the End/Where'd You Go" mashup.
Photo Credit: Chady Awad/Matthias Harris
Finish: Matte Rose Pink
Years Used: 2018-Present
Current Status: Active touring use (Matthias Harris - E A D G B E alternate guitar in Mike solo tour A rig)
Notes: Midway through the U.S. leg of the Post Traumatic tour, Matt Harris acquired a new D'Angelico hollowbody and integrated it into the A rig. It's in standard tuning just like his Telecaster, but he uses it as an alternate guitar for certain songs, most frequently the "Waiting for the End/Where'd You Go" mashup.
Photo Credit: Chady Awad/Matthias Harris
Brand: Fender
Model: Rory Gallagher Signature Stratocaster
Finish: Worn 3-Color Sunburst
Years Used: 2020 (Studio)
Current Status: Studio use (Mike Shinoda)
Notes: Joe Hahn was seen with one of Brad's Rory Gallagher Strats during a brief video on Mike's Instagram in March of 2020, where the two of them played a short coronavirus-themed parody of "My Sharona" entitled "My Corona." Joe doesn't actually play the guitar at all in the video, but I figured I'd include it here anyway.
Model: Rory Gallagher Signature Stratocaster
Finish: Worn 3-Color Sunburst
Years Used: 2020 (Studio)
Current Status: Studio use (Mike Shinoda)
Notes: Joe Hahn was seen with one of Brad's Rory Gallagher Strats during a brief video on Mike's Instagram in March of 2020, where the two of them played a short coronavirus-themed parody of "My Sharona" entitled "My Corona." Joe doesn't actually play the guitar at all in the video, but I figured I'd include it here anyway.
Photo Credit: Mike Shinoda
Brand: Fender
Model: American Special Stratocaster
Finish: Candy Apple Red
Years Used: 2020-Present (Studio)
Current Status: Studio use (Phoenix's home studio)
Notes: Mercedes AMG posted a "Linkin Park Home Performance" video in May of 2020 that featured Mike, Joe, and Phoenix doing various things at home during COVID-19 quarantine. At one point, Phoenix plays a bit of In the End on drums (with his daughters jamming on piano and vocals), and you can see this red Strat hanging on the wall behind him. It appears to have 22 frets and the large-style headstock, which is a match for a run of American Special Strats that were made from around 2011-2014 as best as I can tell. I'm sure he's had this guitar for a while, but this is the first time I've ever seen it.
Photo Credit: Mercedes AMG
Finish: Candy Apple Red
Years Used: 2020-Present (Studio)
Current Status: Studio use (Phoenix's home studio)
Notes: Mercedes AMG posted a "Linkin Park Home Performance" video in May of 2020 that featured Mike, Joe, and Phoenix doing various things at home during COVID-19 quarantine. At one point, Phoenix plays a bit of In the End on drums (with his daughters jamming on piano and vocals), and you can see this red Strat hanging on the wall behind him. It appears to have 22 frets and the large-style headstock, which is a match for a run of American Special Strats that were made from around 2011-2014 as best as I can tell. I'm sure he's had this guitar for a while, but this is the first time I've ever seen it.
Photo Credit: Mercedes AMG
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