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The late Johnny Cash was a Grammy Award-winning American country singer-songwriter. Cash is widely considered to be one of the most influential American musicians of the 20th century.

Johnny was known to play acoustic guitars live. He mainly played Martin guitars.

Let's look at some of the gear and equipment that has been seen in Johnny Cash's guitar rig.

Johnny Cash playing guitar

CoolClick the gear images for more info and specs at Guitar Center and AmazonCool

 

Guitars
- Gibson J-200 - 1958 - red (his name was inlaid in the neck)

Gibson J-200 Standard Acoustic-Electric Guitar

- Martin D-28 - 1961 (he spray painted this one black)

- Martin D-28 - 1969

- Martin D-76 limited edition "Bicentennial" guitar

- Martin D-45 custom  - 1982 (with a D-41 neck and D-35-style three-piece back and sides, and signed by Cash, C.F. Martin III, and C.F. Martin IV)

- Martin D-35 custom 1989

- Martin "Johnny Cash" limited edition guitar D-35 (his primary guitar on Solitary Man)

- Martin D-42JC (Johnny Cash) guitar

 

Strings and More
- Martin medium gauge strings

- Dunlop makes a Johnny Cash capo

Dunlop Johnny Cash Guitar Capo

Comments (15)

  • Left out a few significant ones. A black Fender Kingman, 1967-68, a custom Martin with inlaywork (seen on San Quentin album in 1969), a custom Grammer, early '70s, a Martin D28-20 (12-fret neck & slotted head), and toward the end of his career, a Guild dreadnought (unknown model).
    4
    • At the end of johnny cash career he did not play a guid what so ever? in 1997 he was made the d 42jc which only 80 of them were made. He played the first issued one until he die.
      0
  • What kind of guitar is he playing at San Quentin in 1969 with all the nice designs and inlays?
    7
    • The guitar he used At Folsom Prison, Live at San Quentin etc is definitely a Martin, it's believed to be a custom ordered D28, it's also the same one from the iconic middle finger photo. He used D28s a lot in the 60s, especially live, but the D28s normally have the strip inlay bisecting the back of the body. In some photos, you can see the back of that guitar and the bisecting inlay is absent, so it's possible that it could also be a D35 custom. The D35 and D28 have virtually identical bodies, wood choices, and design, and the back inlay/detail is one of the few things that visually distinguish them without a view of the label.
      0
  • I recently came in possession of what apparently is one of Johnny Cash's early guitars. It's an old Harmony with steel strings. How can I find out if it really belonged to him?
    1
    • Did you ever find out if this was true?

      Thx
      I recently came in possession of what apparently is one of Johnny Cash's early guitars. It's an old Harmony with steel strings. How can I find out if it really belonged to him?
      0
      • To the best of my knowledge, Johnny Cash never owned or played a Harmony guitar. What makes you think your guitar was owned by him?
        0
  • No Ibanez Tube Screamer?
    7
  • I recently came in possession of what apparently is one of Johnny Cash's early guitars. It's an old Harmony with steel strings. How can I find out if it really belonged to him?
    Contact Bill Miller at JohnnyCash.com and Johnny Cash Radio. One of the nicest guys on earth and not only an expert on John but also a long time friend. Id bet my own six strings he'd lend you a hand!
    4
  • what strings did Johnny Cash use on his Martin D35guitars?
    0
  • no electric guitar nor electric recordings? well i guess thats johnny cash for you. did he ever play electric or was it always acoustic.
    -6
    • I think he played a Fender Telecaster when he recorded "I Walk the Line" with Sun Records. At least that is whats I heard. I'm not entirely sure
      0
  • Does anyone know the time period when John Played a Gibson B 25 in cherry Burst on Big River?
    0
  • in 1987 on austin city limits he plays an alvarez yiari. i have one that seems to be identical right down to the signiture of kazu yiari on front. 
    0
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