Phil Manzanera on his Roxy Music Firebird, the 1951 Telecaster from “Love Is the Drug,” and his most important guitars

“He got the guitar for his 16th birthday and clearly didn’t want it. I took one look and said, ‘Thanks, I’ll take it!’”

Phil Manzanera is far more than just the guitarist of Roxy Music. Alongside his work with the band, he has built a highly successful solo career spanning more than five decades. He has released ten solo albums to date, each reflecting his wide-ranging musical curiosity. The recently released 50 Years of Music 11-CD box set proves once again that Manzanera has never followed formulas — innovation has always defined his guitar voice.

Guitar Player recently visited Manzanera’s West London studio to explore the guitars that shaped both his solo work and his recordings with Roxy Music. Each instrument carries a powerful legacy.

“I basically used the same guitars throughout my solo albums,” he explains. “Starting with Diamond Head, it was my red Firebird VII, a Telecaster, and a Gibson Les Paul. On the track Lagrima, I also used a Spanish guitar.”

His amplification included a Hiwatt with a WEM cabinet, a Yamaha rotary speaker, and a Fender Twin. The Hiwatt was modified with a 30-watt switch for easier overdrive. Effects came from a Pete Cornish pedalboard and a Revox tape machine, frequently shared with Brian Eno.

From 2000 onward, Manzanera explored Roland guitar amps, using VGA-7 units on Roxy Music’s 2001 reunion tour. By the band’s final tour in 2022, his rig had evolved dramatically, featuring a compact Fender Pro Junior and a custom pedalboard.

1965 Gibson Firebird VII

A reverse-body Firebird finished in Cardinal Red, featuring gold hardware, an ebony fingerboard with block inlays, and a reverse headstock.

“These guitars weren’t especially popular back then — they’re big and awkward compared to a Stratocaster or Telecaster,” Manzanera admits.

He discovered the guitar through a classified ad in Melody Maker in 1973.
“It turned out the owner was an American college kid. He got it for his 16th birthday and didn’t want it. I immediately said, ‘I’ll take it!’”

Purchased for £120, it became his signature instrument and appeared on the inner sleeve of Roxy Music’s second album.

1965 Gibson Non-Reverse Firebird

This guitar defined the sound of 801 Live, recorded by Manzanera’s experimental supergroup 801.

“It had three humbuckers and multiple switches,” he explains. “Brian Eno also processed my guitar signal through his EMS VCS3 synthesizer.”

1951 Fender Telecaster (Modified)

Purchased in 1974, the Fender Telecaster was heavily modified by Ted Lee.

“At the time, we had no idea about vintage value,” Manzanera says. “But it became an absolute dream to play.”

The guitar features prominently on Love Is the Drug and countless recordings since.

2000 Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Custom

After returning his borrowed 1957 Les Paul, Manzanera commissioned a replacement from Gibson Custom Shop in Hamburg.

“It has incredible sustain — with echo, it absolutely roars.”

2022 Gibson ES-335

Acquired for Roxy Music’s farewell tour, the ES-335 was chosen specifically for If There Is Something.

“It has a beautiful, sustained tone for that extended solo — that’s why I got it.”