Allen Collins Equip History

LYNYRDSKYNYRDEQUIPMENT LISTS

ALL GUITARS, AMPS, EFFECTS, ECT…USED BY :

Allen CollinsDuring his tenure with these bands:

LYNYRD SKYNYRD (1964-1979)

ROSSINGTON COLLINS BAND (1979-1982)

ALLEN COLLINS BAND (1983-1985)

WRITTEN AND COMPILEDBY:

SEAN McMAHON

Many thanks are owed to Roadie Joe Barnes, Ed King, various members of the EK board, Lynyrd Skynyrd Dixie, the Outlaws Official message board, and the various videos, photographs, and interviews that I have found have all helped me to fill out this list to this extent. And to the old “Official Lynyrd Skynyrd Message Board” which got the ball rolling.

THE LATE 60’S----------Guitars----------

Sears SilvertoneAllen’s first electric guitarSpeaker built-in to guitar body

Truetone GuitarHollowbody construction3 pickupsNotes:

Bought for Allen by his mother, EvaCame with an 8” amp

Gibson Melody MakerRed finish2 pickups

1960’s Gibson Les Paul (Gold Top)Gold Top finishMini humbuckers (neck and bridge)Bound neck w/trapezoidal inlaysConstruction

One-piece body and three-piece neckNotes:

Originally bought for Allen by his mother for $500This later became Gary’s main Les Paul until it was stolen in 1973

Late-1960’s (67-69) Gibson Flying VBlack finish w/ white pick guardStock hum buckersUnbound neck w/ dot inlaysABM/Hopf Custom vibrato system (see notation on Allen’s #1 Firebird)3 control knobs - 2 volume, 1 toneNotes:

Seen in pre-1970 pictures of Skynyrd performing, this is certainly a rare guitar for Allen.Story behind this guitar is that it belonged to Rickey Medlocke, and that Allen was borrowing it for a while. It disappeared after Rickey left in 1971.

1969 Gibson SG StandardWhite finish with black pick guard

Originally, the guitar was a standard Cherry-finished SG, but Allen repainted it with white aerosol paint from a local hardware store

Stock humbuckersBound neck w/ trapezoidal inlaysABM/Hopf Custom vibrato system (see notation on Allen’s #1 Firebird)4 control knobs - 2 for volume, 2 for toneNotes:

Might have been used on the studio version of “Freebird”This one was stolen in 1973

1964 Gibson Firebird I (#1) - Heavily Modified from standard modelNine ply mahogany/walnut body center block - 1 ¾” thicknessMahogany wings - 1 ½” thicknessSunburst finish w/ white pickguard & Firebird logo emblazoned near pickup selector switch.Additional aluminum strap button added to back of the guitar at the base of the neck.Unbound Maple neck w/ rosewood fretboard (not the original)

The original neck was broken in 1972 and was replaced by luthier Jay Ryan/Rhiness in Atlanta.

The most often-heard story is that the Firebird was leaning against a vehicle, and it started backing up, snapping the neck at the 12th-or-so fret.Joe Barnes comments : The whole neck [was replaced]. Not all the way through the body but a more traditional neck in pocket set neck.

22 fretsRounded profileDot inlays25 ½” scale length, 1 11/16” nut width

Firebird-style headstockOriginal neck had a dark finish on the beveled edges of the headstock; the new headstock was unfinished completely except for the main headstock front.Black truss rod cover without the typical silkscreened “Gibson” logo.String retainer (“tree”) for low-E and A stringsBanjo tuners

Possibly from the original headstockNickel/Chrome hardwareGibson (?) P-90 pickup in bridge position with dog-eared chrome coverGibson Mini-Humbucker in neck position w/ black plastic mounting ring

The mini-humbucker was placed about ½” from the edge of the neck and a black mounting ring was installed, along with an Gibson SG-like extension between the pickup and the neck, fixed down by two large screws.

It is thought that the plastic ring might have come from mid-60’s Epiphone Coronet guitar. (Information courtesy of Ed King forum member dougguy)

The wiring channels for the second pickup and selector switch were already in the guitar.The guitar’s body was originally routed so that it could hold 1 or 2 pickups.

Editor’s Note: In many pictures, pole pieces can be seen in the pickup. However, Joe Barnes does not recall ever seeing the Firebird with anything other than a standard, smooth-faced Gibson Mini-Humbucker. He suggests that it could be the result of a shadow or wear from the strings on the top of the pickup.Editor’s Note #2: The original bridge-position Mini-humbucker was moved to the neck position & installed ½” from the neck, and the P-90 was installed in bridge. This pickup was totally removed after the neck was broken & replaced.

Two black Top-Hat w/ silver insert control knobs - one for volume, one for toneBy 1975, Allen switched the placement of the tone knob and input jack

“Harmonica”-style ABR-1 BridgeEditor’s Note: After the neck was replaced, the Firebird had a standard ABR-1 bridge, this was later changed out to the larger squared version (some point in late 1974-early 1975, according to photos).

ABM/Hopf Vibrato tailpiece with plastic-capped angled metal armThis vibrato tailpiece came from either ABM (a German instrument parts manufacturer who was known for manufacturing these types of vibrato systems in the early-to-mid 1960’s) or Hopf (a German-based guitar manufacturer). (Information courtesy of Ed King forum member dougguy)

(Continued on next page)

Arm length approx. 6 ½ inches.Nickel-plated steel construction

Joe Barnes comments : The vibrato is another story. It was not a Gibson vibrato. I don't know where he found it but it consisted of a plate mounted on the guitar. This plate had a groove along the back where the top plate would hook in and this would act as a hinge. The whole thing was held in place by the tension of the strings pulling it into place. There was also a spring under the screw that held the vibrato handle to the top plate. The action was push down against the spring or pull back against the string tension. The action was very similar to a Bigsby except for the type of hinge. I hope this description is clear enough. I found one just like it that I used on a spare Firebird we found. I also set it up with the same pickup arrangement.

Additional/Miscellaneous Notes:It started out life as a standard Firebird I (w/ wraparound bar and one mini-hb pickup and original neck)All modifications came at various points between late 1969 and 1972, as shown by archival photos (First and... Last), and footage (Tribute Tour Video).

1967 Fender TelecasterAllen bought this guitar new in ‘67. It’s unknown if he ever used it live, but Joe Barnes was present for the purchase of the guitar.All other details of this guitar are unknown pending discovery of an image of Allen using it.

----------Amps----------Fender Super Reverb

Allen got this amp in mid-1965In the VERY EARLY days, Allen, Gary, and Ronnie all used this in conjuction for gigs.

Vox Super Beatle

PRONOUNCED “LEH-NERD SKIN-NERD”----------Guitars----------

1969 Gibson SG1964 Gibson Firebird I (#1)

----------Amps----------1973 Marshall Super Tremolo

100 WattsNotes:

Was used by Ed on SHA (studio)By 1976, this was used as a backup in case the Peaveys failed

Fender TwinCabs recovered w/ Black tolexGrills recovered w/ red and black grill cloth (picked by RVZ)

Were recovered due to poor exterior conditionMarshall 412 Speaker Cab

Celestion speakers (stock)Replaced w/ JBL D120’s in mid 1974 and a porthole was added

Serial # - either 5514E or 5268E

SECOND HELPING----------Guitars----------

1964 Gibson Firebird I (#1)1964 Gibson Firebird III (#2) - Modified from Standard Model

Sunburst finishUnbound neckDot inlaysModification notes:

Chrome dog-eared P-90 pickup (bridge)Black soap-bar P-90 pickup (neck)2 “gold-speed” style controls - 1 for volume, 1 for tone

Hole plugs are visibleABM/Hopf Model vibrato system.ABR-1 Bridge

1966 Gibson Firebird IIINon-reverse bodySerial # 552---

Remainder of serial number is missingSoap-bar P-90 pickups (neck, mid, and bridge)Notes:

According to Mike Haun, this guitar was owned by Allen Collins, but was later traded toLeon Wilkeson. Leon later traded this to Mike.It is reportedly the guitar that Allen used on “The Ballad of Curtis Loew,” however, this is unconfirmed.

----------Amps----------1973 Marshall Super TremoloFender TwinMarshall 412 Speaker Cabs1960’s Fender Super Reverb

Built-in tremolo effect

----------Effects----------1970 Vox Wah (x3)

Only used on solo for The Needle and the SpoonAmp-based tremolo

Used only on rhythm guitar for The Ballad of Curtis Loew

NUTHIN FANCY----------Guitars----------

1964 Gibson Firebird I (#1)1964 Gibson Firebird III (#2)1964 Gibson Firebird III (#3) - Modified from standard model

Sunburst finish w/ white pickguardNine ply mahogany/walnut neck through-body w/ mahogany wings

Neck specs:Rosewood fretboard22 fretsDot inlaysHeadstock had dark brown finish on the trimSingle-ply cream bindingRounded neck profile25 ½” scale length, 1 11/16” nut width

Banjo tunersNickel hardwareMini-humbucker in neck positionP-90 pickup in bridge position with chrome coverTwo controls - one for volume, one for tone

If you look at the OGWT footage, you can see the plugged holes from the four-knob set-up.

Bridge has separate string saddles, but is NOT an ABR-1Short Maestro Vibrato tailpiece with flat metal armAdditional strap button added to back of the guitar at the base of the neck

1964 Fender StratocasterSerial # L50750Completely stockTobacco Burst finishHighly figured Ash bodyMaple neck

This neck was later replaced with a 1961 Fender Telecaster neck with jumbo Gibson fretsNotes:

Made at the Fullerton Plant (Fender - Pre CBS Era), USAUsed on SHA (75-76), Tuesday’s Gone, Same Old Blues, Gimme Back My Bullets, Roll Gypsy Roll, and Every Mother’s SonAllen later traded this for the black Gibson Explorer

----------Amps----------1973 Marshall Super TremoloFender TwinMarshall 412 Speaker Cab

----------Effects----------1970 Vox Wah (x3)

----------Picks----------Mel Bay Bullseye Picks

Green, plastic picks w/ bullseye design on one side

GIMME BACK MY BULLETS----------Guitars----------

1964 Gibson Firebird I (#1)1964 Gibson Firebird III (#2)

Either this guitar, or the #3 Firebird met its end at a show in Boston in early 1976, when Allen tore up the guitar at the end of the set. Joe Barnes had to go and retrieve the pieces of the guitar from the audience.

1964 Gibson Firebird III (#3)Same note here, with the important notation that, as this guitar wasn’t seen much after April 1976, it’s highly likely this was the guitar destroyed, as Allen played this one almost exclusively during the live sets

1964 Gibson Firebird I (#4) – Modified from standard modelSunburst finishUnbound neckDot inlaysModification notes:

Chrome dog-eared P-90 pickup (bridge)Chrome Gibson Mini-humbucker (neck)

Pickup placed about ½” from the base of the neck.2 “gold-speed” style controls - 1 for volume, 1 for toneGibson Maestro Vibrola

Notes:Roadie Joe Barnes comments: Now I have to confess that at first I could not understand why ZAP kept insisting about the NYC show (Editor’s note: this is the infamous gig where Allen destroyed his Gibson Firebird and tossed the pieces into the audience). The Boston show was a slam dunk for me. How could I not remember that show? The NYC show was fuzzy because of all the other stuff going on. The off day before the show in NY, we found another Firebird I for Allen and I spent all day at the hall setting it up with the whammy bar, installing the P90 at the bridge, routing and installing the mini-hb at the neck and then wiring everything up and then setting up the guitar..

1964 Fender Stratocaster

----------Amps----------Peavey Mace 320T Combo (2x)

160 watt outputSerial #’s – 6A 108704, 6A 108703Used 6L6-type tubes in the power sectionNotes:

This was the first version used by the bandMonitor speakers also modified with the same JBL’sUsed in conjunction with the 4x12 cabinets (see below entry)Effects include reverb and tremolo

Modifications:Rewired to fit specs closer to a MarshallExterior recovered with tweed4”porthole in back of cabs (to improve tone)JBL E-120 Speakers installed (2x each)The speakers in the combo amp were never actually used, the band mainly relied on the speakers in the cabinets.

Peavey 412S Straight Speaker Cabinet (2x)Exterior recovered w/ tweed460 watt output4x12 cabinetSerial #’s – 5E 106901, 5E 106902JBL E-120 Speakers installed (4x each)

All 4 speakers were wired in parallel for a total of 4 ohmsPeavey 1x12 Monitor cabinet (2x)

Serial #’s – 5E 41840, 5E 42404Notes:

Like speaker cabinets, monitors were also outfitted with the JBL E-120’s because Allen preferred the response of the speakers

----------Effects----------1970 Vox Wah (x3)


ONE MORE FROM THE ROAD----------Guitars----------

1964 Gibson Firebird I (#4)1964 Fender Stratocaster

----------Amps----------Peavey Mace 320T Combo (2x)Peavey 412S Straight Speaker Cabinet (2x)Peavey 1x12 Monitor cabinet (2x)

----------Effects----------1970 Vox Wah (x3)


BRITISH/US/JAPAN TOURS 76-77----------Guitars----------

1958 Gibson Explorer (#1)Natural finish w/ white pickguardKorina wood (Technically African Limba) body and neck construction22-fret Rosewood fretboardDot inlays24 ¾” scale length, 1 11/16” nut widthBrass nutSchaller mini-tuners w/ pearloid buttonsNickel hardwareGibson Burstbuckers (neck and bridge)3 volume controls - 2 for volume, 1 for toneModifications:

“Badass” brand bridgeOriginally, the guitar had a traditional ABR-1 bridge until sometime after the plane crash.

Short Maestro vibrato tailpiece with metal armThe mounting sockets from the standard wraparound tailpiece still remain.This arm was later replaced with an angled arm sometime after February 1977.

By 1983, a new metal arm had been attached again.Additional strap button added to back of the guitar at the base of the neck

Notes:At one point, the tip of the headstock was broken through the “b” in the Gibson logo but was repairedThe back of the body had a large red label on the back that read: MY DREAM IS TO SEE ALL MY PEOPLE HAPPY THAT WOULD MEAN EVERYONE IS LIVING WELL AND THAT’S ALL THAT MATTERS

1964 Fender Stratocaster1965 Fender Stratocaster (Frankensteined)

Sunburst finished 1965 Stratocaster bodyMaple 1951 Fender Esquire neck w/ black nut.Pickups were from a 1963 StratocasterPerformance Notes:

Used live for “Sweet Home Alabama” at the Knebworth Festival1977 or 1976 Gibson L6

Allen listed this (and the following two) guitar as one of his home guitars in a January 1977 interview in Japan

Gibson L8Allen liked the “country” sound to this guitar.

Gibson J-160 E Acoustic



STREET SURVIVORS----------Guitars----------

1958 Gibson Explorer (#1)1955 Gibson Les Paul Special

TV Yellow finishSerial # 06195536P-90 pickups w/ black soap-bar covers (neck and bridge)Nickel hardwareGibson Lyre Tremolo w/ plastic-capped arm4 control knobs - 2 for volume, 2 for tone

According to CR’s own documents, the tailpiece was added in July of 1977Notes:

Seen in Craig Reed’s home videos of Skynyrd on the tour planePurchased in July of 1977

1958 Gibson Les Paul Special Reissue #1Sunburst finish with black pickguardDouble cutawayBlack soapbar P-90 pickups (neck and bridge)Short Maestro vibrato tailpiece w/ angled arm4 control knobs - 2 for volume, 2 for toneBound neckDot inlaysNotes:

First seen in August of ‘77 (Pepsi Tribute) and was used only on You Got That Right.

----------Acoustic Guitars----------Gibson Acoustic

Grover tuning keysInstalled August 3, 1977 according to a receipt owned by C.R.

Notes:Used on Street Survivors album



----------Strings----------Dean Markley “Extra Lite” Electric Guitar Strings

Used on his Gibson ExplorerMartin Strings

Used on the Gibson Acoustic guitar

TOUR OF THE SURVIVORS----------Guitars----------

1958 Gibson Explorer (#1)1958 Gibson Les Paul Special Reissue #1



1979 VOLUNTEER JAM----------Guitars----------

1958 Gibson Les Paul Special Reissue #1



ANYTIME, ANYPLACE, ANYWHERE----------Guitars----------

1958 Gibson Explorer (#1)1958 Gibson Les Paul Special Reissue #1Fender Stratocaster

Black funish w/ white pickguardPickup selector switch has a bulbous black cap instead of standard conic white.Notes:

Used mainly in RCB and ACB days1976 Gibson Explorer (#2)

Natural finish with white pick guardMahogany body and neckRosewood fingerboardGold hardwareStock Gibson HumbuckersTune-o-matic bridgeAdditional strap button added to back of the guitar at the base of the neckNotes:

Used mainly during Rossington Collins Band days

----------Amps----------Peavey Mace 320T Combo (2x)Peavey 412S Straight Speaker Cabinet (2x)Peavey 1x12 Monitor cabinet (2x)Peavey Mace 320T Head (1x)

160 watt outputUsed 6L6-type tubes in the power sectionNotes

Exterior recovered w/ tweedProbably didn’t come along until RCB days


THIS IS THE WAY----------Guitars----------

1958 Gibson Explorer (#1)1958 Gibson Les Paul Special Reissue #1Fender Stratocaster1959 Gibson Les Paul Special Reissue #2

Double cutawayCherry Red finish w/black pick guardBlack soapbar P-90 pickups (neck and bridge)Short Maestro vibrato tailpiece w/ angled arm4 control knobs - 2 for volume, 2 for toneBound neckDot inlaysNotes:

Was not used until RCB daysThe ultimate fate of this one:

Allen was jamming at the house of a friend in Jax, and accidentally broke the headstock off of the neck. He removed the pick guard and all of the hardware and gave it to the friend, who still has the guitar in his possession.

Guild X-79Candy Apple Red finish w/ black pickguardXR-7 Open Coil pickups (neck and bridge)Nickel hardwareQuick-change SP-6 tailpieceAdjustomatic bridgeDeluxe tuning machinesNotes:

Allen was seen with this guitar in a 1982 Guild guitar ad. RCB had a Guild endorsement for a couple years.



HERE, THERE AND BACK----------Guitars----------

1958 Gibson Explorer (#1)1959 Gibson Les Paul Special Reissue #21964 Fender StratocasterGibson Explorer (#3)

Black finish w/o pick guardEbony fretboard w/ pearloid dot inlaysOpen-coil pickups (neck and bridge)Nickel HardwareABR-1 bridgeWraparound tailpiece3 black control knobs - 2 for volume, 1 for tone

Knob layout is similar to all Explorers used by Metallica’s James Hetfield, running along the outline of the lower part of the guitar, rather than the all-in-line layout commonly seen.

Pickup selector switch moved down by the tailpiece and control knobsNotes:

Acquired sometime after his tenure with the Allen Collins BandNever played live onstage



POST PARALYZATION----------Guitars----------

Takamine Electric-Acoustic Jazz ArchtopBlack finishNotes:

Given to Allen by one of his friends after the car accident that paralyzed him.The guitar later came up missing and somehow came into the possession of Gary Rossington – he can be seen playing this guitar in the tribute tour video.


“My dream is to see all my people happy. That would mean that every one is doing well, and

that’s all that matters.”

Rest in peace, Allen.

1952-1990

Documents

Allen Collins Equip History