Rory Gallagher’s Gibson Melody Maker 1960

Few musicians have left such a mark on their musical genre that they became true icons of their instruments. Yet this is the case with Rory Gallagher – the Irish icon – and Slash – a worshipped guitar hero. While each had a very different approach to the guitar, both were virtuoso musicians who brought their sense of melody and soloing to the heights of electrified music. It’s already rare enough to get close to an instrument played by one of these masters. But when a guitar was borrowed by one to jam alongside the other, it becomes a sacred relic and a moving witness to the connection between two generations of guitarists. Such is the case of this Gibson Melody Maker, played by Rory and borrowed by Slash when he joined him on stage in March 1991.

Once upon a time… A Melody Maker played by two legends of the electric guitar.

If there is one guitarist who embodies a pioneering and virtuoso relationship with the electric guitar, it is Rory Gallagher. A true Irish icon turned legendary musician and passionate trailblazer, he is one of the most respected and inspiring guitarists of the 21st century. Passionate and hard-working, Rory Gallagher was constantly in search of the perfect sound. Though he became a legend thanks to his mythical ’61 Stratocaster with its chipped finish, he kept enriching his guitar collection with carefully chosen instruments. Each one reflects a sharp ear and specific musical need. That’s how this Melody Maker came into Rory Gallagher’s hands.

Rory Gallagher had a particular fondness for Melody Makers. He preferred single-pickup Gibson guitars, especially for slide playing. Always chasing the perfect tone, Rory Gallagher often transformed and modified his guitars. This 1960 Melody Maker was no exception: it was fitted with a humbucker pickup. Rory used this guitar extensively, especially from 1985 onward for slide work and blues songs. You can see him playing it in a video captured during a concert in Dinkelsbühl, Germany, at the Out in the Green Festival on July 5, 1986.

The guitar’s most notable appearance came in March 1991 at the legendary Roxy club, when Slash joined Rory Gallagher on stage to play a few songs. The young Guns N’ Roses guitarist picked up this Melody Maker to accompany the Irish master. Speaking about the event in Hot Press Magazine in 2020, Slash said: “I think that when you play with someone like Rory, the music really takes over… When I arrived, he was so gracious and enthusiastic that the intimidation factor disappeared and we just started playing…”

Beyond the illustrious legacy built by Rory Gallagher, this Melody Maker is one of those guitars surrounded by a special aura. Played by two of the greatest guitarists in history, it is one of those rare instruments touched by multiple great masters. Modified to suit Gallagher’s needs, and later played by Slash during a shared concert, it stands as a moving testament to the admiration felt by one future icon for someone who already was one.