Some styles never age. Some notes travel through decades without losing an ounce of intensity. The blues is one of those universal languages, capable of expressing pain, joy, anger, or resilience in just a few bars. At Matt’s Guitar Shop, we are fortunate to celebrate this legacy through instruments that have carried the soul of some of its greatest ambassadors.
It is impossible to speak of the blues without thinking of Gary Moore. The Irish virtuoso blended rock brilliance with the depth of the blues with rare sincerity. Today, several guitars from his personal collection are at the heart of the shop. Five extraordinary instruments, among the most played and cherished by Moore himself, stand as witnesses to his unique journey. These are not pieces frozen behind glass, but guitars that lived on stage, in the studio, and on roads around the world.
Among them, his 1955 Gibson Les Paul Junior, acquired from Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols, embodies a rawer, more instinctive side of his playing. His 1958 Gibson Les Paul Reissue, aged by Tom Murphy and long his main stage and travel companion, reveals his uncompromising standards for tone and sustain. Each of these guitars tells a chapter of his evolution, from blazing hard rock to his most deeply felt blues flights. To stand before them is to still feel the emotional tension that defined every note Moore played. Yes, she still got the blues.
Another essential pillar of the blues, Buddy Guy holds a place of honor at Matt’s Guitar Shop. His legendary white polka dot Fender Stratocaster Signature, presented here in a signed version, is far more than an iconic model. It embodies the explosive energy and stylistic boldness of a musician who influenced entire generations, from Eric Clapton to Stevie Ray Vaughan. Its instantly recognizable aesthetic reflects the artist’s flamboyant personality, while its sharp, dynamic tone reminds us why Buddy Guy remains one of the greatest showmen in blues history.
Alongside it, a 1965 Fender Stratocaster Olympic White from his personal collection, also signed, completes this tribute. More understated in appearance yet equally rich in history, it represents the heart of the Chicago blues sound — that precise articulation and expressive voice that seem to speak directly to the audience. Owning an instrument that belonged to Buddy Guy is like holding a living piece of American blues history.
And because the blues is not confined to the past, we also celebrate its future with the Marcus King Signature models. A rising figure in contemporary blues, Marcus King represents a new generation of artists capable of drawing from tradition while projecting it forward. His intense playing, infused with soul, Southern rock, and deeply felt improvisation, carries forward the legacy of the masters while asserting a distinctly modern identity. The Gibson ES Signature models that bear his name reflect this duality: vintage warmth, expressive power, and versatility suited to today’s stages.
Through Gary Moore, Buddy Guy, and Marcus King, we celebrate the full trajectory of the blues at Matt’s Guitar Shop. From deep roots to contemporary expressions, from guitars shaped by decades of touring to instruments that will write the next chapters, each piece tells a story of passion, tonal pursuit, and pure emotion.
