The Monkees Live Almanac
  • HOME
  • '60s
    • 1966 PROMOTIONAL TOUR
    • 1966 - 1967 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
    • 1967 US / BRITISH TOUR
    • "HEAD" (ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE) CONCERT
    • AUSTRALIA & JAPAN 1968
    • 1969 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
  • '70s
    • THE MONKEES LIVE IN 1970
    • THE GREAT GOLDEN HITS OF THE MONKEES (Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart)
  • '80s
    • 1986 'SOUND OF THE MONKEES' AUSTRALIAN TOUR
    • 1986 '20th ANNIVERSARY' NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
    • THE GREEK THEATRE 1986 (all four Monkees reunited)
    • 1987 'SOUND OF THE MONKEES' AUSTRALIAN TOUR
    • 1987 NORTH AMERICAN 'HERE WE COME AGAIN' TOUR
    • 1988 AUSTRALIAN TOUR
    • 1989 EUROPEAN TOUR
    • 1989 NORTH AMERICAN / JAPANESE TOUR
    • UNIVERSAL AMPHITHEATRE 1989 (all four Monkees reunited)
  • '90s
    • 'MICKY AND DAVY: TOGETHER AGAIN'
    • 1996 '30th ANNIVERSARY' NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
    • BILLBOARD LIVE 1996
    • 1997 UNITED KINGDOM 'JUSTUS' TOUR
    • 1997 US TOUR
  • '00s
    • 2001 US TOUR
    • 2002 NORTH AMERICAN / UNITED KINGDOM 'MONKEEMANIA' TOUR
  • '10s
    • 2011 '45th ANNIVERSARY' WORLD TOUR
    • AN EVENING WITH THE MONKEES (THE 2012 TOUR)
    • A MIDSUMMER'S NIGHT WITH THE MONKEES (THE 2013 TOUR)
    • 2014 MONKEES TOUR
    • AN EVENING WITH THE MONKEES (FEATURING MICKY DOLENZ & PETER TORK)
    • GOOD TIMES: THE 50th ANNIVERSARY TOUR
    • THE PANTAGES THEATRE 2016 (Michael Nesmith's final Monkees concert)
    • THE MONKEES PRESENT: THE MIKE NESMITH & MICKY DOLENZ SHOW
  • '20s
    • THE MONKEES FAREWELL TOUR WITH MICHAEL NESMITH & MICKY DOLENZ
  • GEAR
  • BLOG
  • MISC
    • HEADQUARTERS RADIO PROGRAM
    • PRINT & WEB ARCHIVE
    • LINKS
    • ABOUT
Monkees instruments

Acknowledgments

I would like to recognize the following people for their assistance in this examination of Monkees instruments and gear. Thank you to Kevin Schmid, longtime Monkees aficionado and collector, who contributed pictures from his collection and through countless emails and conversations assisted with details large and small. Thanks to the various representatives from Gretsch Guitar, Gretsch Drums, Gibson, and Fender for answering questions about model numbers and production runs. And a special thanks to Monkees historian, author, and producer Andrew Sandoval, who graciously took time from his busy schedule to provide new information and properly identify photographs. Andrew wrote the definitive book on The Monkees. Be sure to tune into his Come to the Sunshine internet radio program.

Photographs appearing on this page come from my collection, from Kevin's, and a wide variety of other sources, including Monkees and rock photographer Henry Diltz. I would also like to recognize the Sunshine Factory website for some of the screen shots that appear below.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive examination of every instrument ever utilized by The Monkees throughout their entire career. The focus of this information is predominantly on the 1960s era of the group. Updates will be posted as necessary. New information and photos are always welcome.  Please contact me.

Monkees with Gretsch
 
Monkees live concert

​Michael's 12-String Blonde Gretsch Guitar (Model 6076)

Picture
1967
​
​Perhaps no other guitar defines Michael Nesmith than the famous blonde Gretsch, played by Michael on The Monkees television series, in the recording studio, and on the concert stage throughout the 1960s.

When providing audio commentary for The Monkees: Season One DVD set, Nez relayed that he always liked 12-string electric guitars. Various guitar companies like Vox and Rickenbacker produced 12-strings, but he preferred the bluesier, twangy sound made by a Gretsch as opposed to the pop sound of a Rickenbacker.
 Once the pilot of the TV show was sold, Nesmith approached Fred Gretsch and asked him to make a 12-string guitar. Gretsch complied and produced a non-production model, one of three made. (The other two were given to George Harrison and Chet Atkins.) "I played 12-string as a singer/songwriter. That's what I played on my own," Nesmith told Sound & Vision. "But when they said, 'What do you want to play on the show?' I said, 'Well, I want to play a 12-string.' They said, 'Gretsch will give you instruments.' I said, 'Oh, that’s great. Do they make a 12-string?' 'No.' 'Oh. Would they make me one?' And they said, 'Yeah, they will.' And that’s how I got it." 

​
A representative from Gretsch confirmed that the 6076 Model was produced from 1966-1970.
Michael Nesmith Gretsch
Monkees Phoenix Arizona 1967
Phoenix, Arizona 1967
Picture
(Above and left) Filming "The Monkees" TV series
Mike Nesmith blonde Gretsch
Rainbow Room, Chicago / 1967
Michael Nesmith Gretsch guitar

Michael's 6-String Sunburst Gretsch Viking Guitar (Model 6187)

Mike Nesmith sunburst Gretsch

​Early on during the Monkees project, Gretsch signed an endorsement deal with the group. As a result, The Monkees were supplied with Gretsch guitars, basses, and drums. (It is unknown whether or not Davy's percussion pieces like tambourines and maracas were Gretsch models.) 

This sunburst 6-string Viking could be seen in episodes of The Monkees television series during both seasons. It has also been spotted in photographs taken during recording sessions.

Monkees Gretsch instruments
1966
Gretsch Monkees
Micky in the recording studio with a Gretsch Viking / 1967
Gretsch Nesmith
On the set of the TV show / 1966
Michael Nesmith sunburst Gretsch
Filming "The Monkees" TV series

Michael's 12-String Gretsch Black Tennessean Guitar

Picture
​Another Gretsch guitar that Michael possessed appeared in the pilot episode of The Monkees. Nez had previously purchased this Gretsch Tennessean as a 6-string and later had it converted to a 12-string in Los Angeles, California. The neck eventually snapped off. 

Because some scenes in the 1965 pilot were later re-filmed in 1966, Michael can be seen initially with his black Gretsch as they setup at the bandstand but with the blonde Gretsch by the time they start to play. (Davy's guitars change in these scenes, too, from the Gretsch Anniversary [Model 6118] during the original take to a Gretsch Viking in the 1966 take. Peter's bass is different as well, moving from a Fender Precision to a Gretsch.)

Picture
Original scene from the pilot / 1965
Picture
Re-filmed scene from the pilot / 1966
Picture
Pilot episode / 1965

Michael's 12-String Sunburst Gretsch Guitar 
(Model 6075)

Michael used another 12-string Gretsch on tour in 1967 that was identical to his blonde Gretsch, except it was a different color (sunburst).
Picture
Hollywood Bowl soundcheck / June 1967
Monkees live 1967
(Above and below) Hollywood Bowl / June 1967
1967 Monkees tour

​Gretsch Monkees Signature Guitar (Model 6123)

Picture
(From the collection of Dave Rogers)
​A Monkees model Gretsch guitar was available on the market from 1966 until 1968. Gretsch had earlier found success with their Country Gentlemen and Tennessean models in 1964 and 1965 because of George Harrison's frequent use of them. When the Monkees model was introduced, however, sales were disappointing. Despite the high quality nature of the guitar, Monkees fans didn't rush to buy it. Some Gretsch experts have even surmised that purists, perhaps caught up in the furor at the time about the group's nontraditional origins, were not interested in a customized Monkees guitar. ​GretschPages.com describes the Monkees guitar:
"The 6123 was fitted with two SuperTron pickups, it had real f-holes, and special features like a unique pickguard and truss rod cover sporting the Monkees logo, and a fretboard with thumbnail markers top and bottom."
It is speculated that approximately 200 Monkees model Gretsch guitars were produced. This item had to be ordered directly from Gretsch by the given guitar store. Today, the Gretsch Monkees Signature Guitar is a highly sought after collectible that has been known to sell for thousands of dollars through online retailers like eBay.
Monkees Gretsch model guitar
On the set / 1967
(Left) Michael with a Gretsch Monkees Signature Guitar. It could be seen on a couple of episodes during the second season of The Monkees.
Micky Dolenz Monkees Gretsch guitar
2014
Micky Dolenz currently owns two Monkees model Gretsch guitars. He was gifted one by a fan in 2014. Wayne Avers, longtime Monkees touring guitarist and musical director, played this particular guitar on the 2014 Monkees Tour. Micky received the second one from a collector a few years ago.

Michael's Latter-Day Gretsch Guitars

Picture
"Justus" sessions / 1996
Picture
2012 Monkees Tour
In the years since Monkeemania in the 1960s, Nez has continued to play Gretsch guitars. The blonde Gretsch guitar he used on the 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016 Monkees tours is a twelve string Country Classic I. It was custom made for him by Gretsch when he did a concert for them in the 1990s at the NAMM Show, a music products industry trade event. This was also the guitar used during recording sessions for the 1996 Monkees album, Justus.
Nesmith Gretsch Country Classic
Nashville, Tennessee / 2013 Monkees Tour
Michael Nesmith guitar Gretsch blond
Michael's Gretsch onstage / 2013 Monkees Tour

Michael's White Gibson SG Guitar (Custom Model)

Mike Nesmith Gibson SG custom
Australia / 1968
The Gibson was used most famously during the live "Circle Sky" sequence from The Monkees' 1968 feature film, Head. It was also utilized extensively for concert appearances, being played by Nez while on tour with The Monkees in Australia and Japan in late 1968.  Michael was also seen with the Gibson during the "Naked Persimmon" segment on the 1969 television special, 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee. 

​A frequent companion during his last full year with The Monkees, Nez used the Gibson for guest spots by The Monkees on The Joey Bishop Show in 1969 and throughout the yearlong tour across North America with Sam & The Goodtimers. Photographs also confirm that Michael played this guitar for some early performances with the First National Band.
Picture
"Circle Sky" live
Michael Nesmith Gibson SG
Salt Lake City / 1968
Monkees Joey Bishop 1969
With Sam & The Goodtimers on "The Joey Bishop Show" / 1969
Michael Nesmith Gibson guitar
Japan / 1968
Mike Nesmith recording studio Gibson guitar
RCA Hollywood session / January 1968
Whatever happened to Nesmith's blonde Gretsch & the white Gibson?

The blonde Gretsch was stolen in the 1970s (in a separate occasion from the guitars Michael had stolen from Red Rhodes' guitar repair shop). The white Gibson was apparently taken from a club in the San Fernando Valley in California in the early 1970s. 

Nez has spoken about his affection for these instruments in recent years, as well as his desire to have them returned. "I know they are out there still and I miss them and would like to have them back after all these years," he posted on Facebook in 2010. "Whoever has ended up with them, please return them, no questions asked. They were and are an important part of my life."

Michael's Black Gibson Les Paul Custom Guitar

Les Paul guitar Mike Nesmith"33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee"
The Les Paul is the guitar that Michael played when The Monkees recorded "Pleasant Valley Sunday" in 1967, producing the classic riff that became the cornerstone of the song. It was also seen on 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee during the quartet's performance of "Listen to the Band," and again in 1969 when The Monkees performed live on The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour. Michael continued to use the Les Paul throughout the First National Band era in the 1970s. The guitar was featured on the covers of two of his solo albums, Infinite Rider on the Big Dogma and Live at The Palais. Nez was last seen using the Les Paul while performing with The Monkees at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles in 1986.

Upon purchase at McCabe's in Santa Monica, California by his wife Phyllis as an anniversary present for Michael in 1967, the guitar was a used 1954 Gibson (with some 1953 parts). Michael's son Christian sold it to the original Guitar Center in Los Angeles, California a few years ago.

Nesmith Black Beauty
Rehearsing for the "Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour" / 1969
Michael Nesmith Live at the Palais
1978
Michael Nesmith live 1979 Gibson guitar
Live / 1979
Nesmith First National Band
Nez plays the Gibson with the First National Band / 1970
Mike Nesmith guitar Gibson
Recording in 1972
Mike Nesmith Les Paul guitar
Late 1970s

The Monkees & Gretsch

Read more about The Monkees and their Gretsch instruments in the archives of The Monkees Live Almanac
Monkees Gretsch display
Gretsch counter top display
Monkees Gretsch advertisement
Gretsch advertisement

Peter's Burgundy Gretsch Bass Guitar (Model 6073)

Peter Tork bass GretschMemphis, Tennessee / 1966

Peter's Gretsch bass is instantly recognizable from its countless appearances on The Monkees television series. After being used onstage during the group's first concert appearances in late 1966 and throughout the spring of 1967, it was never seen again in a live setting. A quick browsing of the internet will find some bass players who took issue with this particular model in regards to having feedback problems. A user on a Gretsch internet discussion forum claimed to have spoken to Peter about why he stopped using the Gretsch bass and Peter apparently confirmed that it was prone to feedback, but only Peter knows for certain.

​
The Model 6073 survives today as the 
G6073 Electrotone Bass and is currently for sale at various outlets.

Gretsch bass Peter Tork
On the set of the TV show (Mike's Gretsch Model 6123 can be seen in the background)
Peter Tork Gretsch bass
Late 1966 / Early 1967
Gretsch Peter Tork bass
Picture
Peter Tork Gretsch bass guitar
Peter Tork Gretsch bass
(Above and left) Filming "The Monkees" TV series
Monkees Gretsch bass
The Gretsch Bass (Model 6073) today

Peter's Guild Jetstar Bass Guitar

Guild Jetstar bassSalt Lake City / 1968
Sometime in 1967, Peter moved from the burgundy Gretsch bass to a Guild model. This was the bass guitar that Peter used during the 1967 Monkees summer tour that visited the United States and Great Britain. It also was famously documented in the group's film Head as Peter is seen playing it during the "Circle Sky" live performance.

Fans of The Monkees television series will recall the Jetstar's many appearances in the music videos filmed during a break on the 1967 summer tour in the "Rainbow Room" in Chicago, Illinois. It should also be noted that Davy Jones was often seen playing this bass in concert in 1967 and 1968 when Peter would move to keyboards. Peter was last seen using the Jetstar while on tour with The Monkees in Australia and Japan in late 1968.

A representative from Fender Guitars (who currently manufactures Guild instruments) relayed that Peter's Jetstar bass was manufactured sometime after 1966 as this is when the headstock changed to the 4 in-line. 
The Fender representative also noted that some referred to this Jetstar bass as the 'JS1 Model." However, Fender does not have any official documentation of that reference. This particular model was discontinued in 1970. 

Peter Tork bass guitar
Salt Lake City / 1968
Peter Tork Guild Jetstar bass
Peter with the Guild in the Rainbow Room in Chicago
Davy Jones bass
Davy with Peter's Guild bass / St. Louis 1967

Peter's Vox Continental Organ (and other keyboards)

Peter Tork Vox organ

​Peter used a variety of keyboard models when performing live with The Monkees between 1966 and 1968. In the picture to the left he is playing a Vox Continental in late 1966/early 1967. This brand of organ also appeared several times during filming of The Monkees' television series (below to the right).

A Fender Rhodes Bass Piano is seen onstage in the picture (below to the left) taken in Winnipeg, MB, Canada in April 1967. It is unknown which type of keyboard Peter used during the Australian/Japanese tour in late 1968 (below).

An advertisement in the British publication Beat Instrumental referenced The Monkees' use of Vox organs (and amplifiers) during their shows at Wembley in June and July 1967.



Monkees Canada 1967
Peter's Fender Rhodes Bass Piano in Winnipeg, MB, Canada / 1967
Peter Tork Vox Monkees
Filming "The Monkees" TV series
Monkees live in Japan 1968
Japan / 1968

Peter's Ode Banjo

Peter Tork Ode Banjo1967

During Monkees concerts in the 1960s, Peter often played the banjo on songs like "Cripple Creek" and "Cindy." He continued this tradition once The Monkees reunited in the mid-1980s, using the instrument for performances of "You Told Me," "Sweet Young Thing," "What Am I Doing Hangin' 'Round?" and his own rendition of Jackie Wilson's "Higher and Higher." 


​Peter owned this Ode brand banjo before The Monkees. It's the same one seen on the 1967 "Monkees on Tour" episode and has also been featured at Monkees concerts from the 1980s to the present.

Peter Tork banjo
1981 photo session
Picture
1986
Peter Tork banjo
1968
Peter Tork Ode banjo
Circa 1968

In this video clip below, The Monkees perform "Circle Sky" live at the Valley Auditorium in Salt Lake City on May 17, 1968.
​ Michael can be seen playing his Gibson guitar, Micky is using the Slingerland kit, and Peter's bass is the Guild model.
Davy is playing maracas and the organ.


Micky's Gretsch Broadkaster Drum Kit 
with Champagne Sparkle wrap finish

Micky Dolenz Gretsch drumsMemphis, Tennessee / 1966
Originally a guitarist, Micky took a crash course in playing drums throughout 1966. In the process, he was aided and abetted by some of music's finest drummers, with Micky using members of the famed Wrecking Crew and others for guidance. "My first teacher here in Los Angeles was John Carlos," Micky told Modern Drummer. When I was in the studio during the early Monkee sessions, I would get pointers from Earl Palmer and Hal Blaine, and guys like Buddy Miles would come over to my house. Before we went out live, I had a great deal of practice time." In an interview with Music Radar, Micky was emphatic about seizing the moment when being surrounded by such pros. "Absolutely, I was watching what they were doing. Hal and Earl, I learned from the best...Over the years, I've taken it very seriously."

Micky is often asked about his rather unconventional style when setting up his drum kit to play. "Yeah, half-right, half-left," Micky told Modern Drummer. "The bottom half is left-handed and the top is right-handed. I know it’s bizarre: I play the kick with my left foot and the snare with my left hand." It turns out that a childhood illness contributed to Micky's unique setup. "When I was a kid I had a leg disease called Perthes. My right leg was, and still is, weaker than my left. So when I went to play conventional-style, it hurt. But since I was just beginning, John Carlos said, "Hey, change it around." He put the kick on my left and the hi-hat on my right—which I still do to this day—and it worked!"

The Champagne Sparkle kit was seen on The Monkees television series throughout its run on NBC, and Micky played this particular kit while on tour with the group in late 1966 and into 1967. "I had those drums for years," Micky told Classic Drummer. "And when I moved [from his Laurel Canyon home in California], I didn’t take them with me. I wish I still had that set."

(Read an in-depth interview where Micky talks about drumming.)
Champagne Sparkle Gretsch
Phoenix, Arizona / 1967
Picture
Filming "The Monkees" TV series
Gretsch Champagne Sparkle Monkees
Scene from "The Monkees"
New Gretsch Classics drums Dolenz
Micky played a Gretsch New Classics kit on the 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016 Monkees tours

Micky's Black Rogers Drum Kit with various components

Micky Dolenz Rogers drums

​By the time The Monkees' 1967 summer tour rolled around, Micky had moved to a Rogers kit. This drum set was also used on The Monkees  television series during its second season as well as for filming the music videos in the "Rainbow Room" in Chicago.


Based on research it appears that the Rogers kits that Micky used were made up of several different single components and it may have started out as a Rogers 'Londoner' model.

Did Micky have a preference between the Gretsch kit he started with and the Rogers one he used later in 1967? "No, not really," Micky told Music Radar. "The Gretsch was the first kit that was promoted for the show. When the [1967 summer] tour came along, I played the Rogers on the road. I still have that set." Micky also reflected on the changes he has seen over the years in the make-up of his kits. "It's so funny, boy, back then the hardware was so flimsy. The cymbal stands and the hi-hats…and the kick drum had this leather strap holding it together."

Micky Dolenz Rogers drums
1967
Micky Dolenz drummer
Monkees Rogers drums
Monkees drums
On the road / 1967
Monkees Wembley 1967
Soundcheck at Wembley / 1967
Micky Dolenz Rogers drum kit
Rainbow Room in Chicago / 1967

Micky's Black Slingerland Drum Kit

Micky Dolenz Slingerland drumsSalt Lake City / 1968

​Another Monkees instrument made famous by its appearance in the movie Head was Micky's Slingerland kit. With its customized 'DRUM' logo on the bass drum, the Slingerlands were also used on the concert stage when The Monkees visited Australia and Japan in 1968. While filming "Circle Sky" live in Salt Lake City, Utah for Head, a double bass drum set-up was configured.

Micky continued to use the Slingerland kit throughout 1969. In an appearance with Davy and Mike on The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour (Peter had left the group by this time), he can be seen playing it during a live medley of Monkees songs that included "Last Train to Clarksville," "I'm a Believer," and "Salesman." The Slingerland drums also traveled with Micky when The Monkees conducted a yearlong tour of North America with Sam & The Goodtimers in 1969.

One of the original 'DRUM' drum heads survives and is in the collection of Ryland Allison (son of Keith Allison, a friend of Michael's from Texas who was featured as a session musician on several Monkees recordings). It was sold to him by Davy with a drum set when he was very young.

Monkees live 1968 Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, Utah with the double bass drum set-up
Slingerland drums Micky Dolenz
Salt Lake City / 1968
Monkees 1969 drums
Micky behind his Slingerland kit in Virginia / 1969
Micky Dolenz Slingerland drums
Australia / 1968

Davy's 3/4 Scale Red Gretsch Custom Bass Guitar

Davy Jones Gretsch bass
1966
In 1966, Gretsch produced a bass guitar especially for Davy. Rarely used, it made its first appearance on The Monkees television series in the episode "Son of a Gypsy" in late 1966. During the group's inaugural live concert appearance in Honolulu, Hawaii on December 3, 1966, Davy played his Gretsch bass when Peter moved to keyboards, a tradition that would continue during Monkees concerts through 1968. Photographs from the 1967 Monkees summer tour, however, usually show Davy playing Peter's new Guild bass when it came time to switch off, instead of his Gretsch. Davy was last seen using this bass in concert during the 1969 Monkees tour, and for an appearance with Micky and Mike on The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour  that same year.

A representative from Gretsch confirmed that there was no record of this model bass guitar ever being produced again, so it is reasonable to conclude that Davy owned the only one. 

Davy kept his Gretsch bass in his possession until the 1980s when he gave it to a friend (who gave it back to Davy in the late 1990s). He made attempts to have Carvin reproduce the bass in the '90s. As to the whereabouts of Davy's bass today, it is reportedly missing.
Davy Jones Gretsch bass guitar
Opening night of the 1969 Monkees tour in Vancouver, BC, Canada
Monkees Gretsch bass
Davy's bass in the "Son of a Gypsy" episode
Picture
Melbourne, Australia / 1968
Picture
Peter playing Davy's Gretsch bass during rehearsals in late 1966

Monkees instruments gear

Miscellaneous

Here's Nez with a Rickenbacker while onstage with The Monkees in 1967 (location unknown, but thought to be Detroit, Michigan). The Rickenbacker belonged to Roger McGuinn and was loaned by The Byrds for this concert when Michael's guitar was either having issues or was otherwise unavailable. He is also pictured to the right with a Rickenbacker during the Headquarters sessions in 1967. It is uncertain as to the owner of that guitar.
Monkees Rickenbacker
Mike Nesmith Rickenbacker guitar
Michael Nesmith Rickenbacker
Michael is seen below with a Rickenbacker in a photograph that is thought to be taken during The Monkees' appearance at Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis, Missouri on August 5, 1967.
Picture

Peter Tork Guild guitar

​Peter is seen above playing his Guild acoustic guitar during filming of the movie Head. This is the same guitar Peter used during sessions for the Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. album, and it also can be spotted in the second season episode "Hitting the High Seas." 
Guild acoustic Peter Tork
"Hitting the High Seas"
Peter Tork acoustic guitar
In This Generation / 2013

​
Peter's Guild guitar was purchased in Nashville, Tennessee in 1967 and he has had it refinished several times. Here Peter plays the Guild during his 2013 "In This Generation" solo tour.

Micky Dolenz drumming
Drums Davy Jones
These pictures show both Micky and Davy sitting at the drum kit Micky used during the recording sessions for the Headquarters album. Davy is shown above during a session, and Micky is behind the kit during soundcheck at the Hollywood Bowl in 1967.

Peter Tork Fender bass
Davy Jones Gretsch Country Club
In the pilot episode filmed in late 1965, Peter used a Fender Jazz Bass (left) and Davy could be seen with a Gretsch Model 6118 Anniversary (right)

Micky Dolenz guitar
Screen Gems owned a Gibson Everly Brothers Flattop model guitar that turned up as a prop in some episodes of the television series and even in shots from Head. Still photos of Mike, Micky, and Peter all exist with this guitar, including the one above of Micky taken during the filming of Head.
Mike Nesmith Vox guitar
Nez plays a Vox acoustic guitar on the set of Head

Peter Tork clavinet
Hohner clavinet Peter Tork
Peter's Hohner clavinet as seen on the 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee television special in 1969

Davy Jones Vox guitar
This is Davy’s Vox acoustic guitar from the back cover of the Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. album. This guitar eventually broke which led Davy to a Gibson Dove model when writing for The Birds, The Bees & The Monkees album.
Mike Nesmith Epiphone
Mike strums an Epiphone acoustic guitar in a scene with Davy from the pilot episode
Monkees Gibson guitar
Peter used a Gibson J-160E acoustic/electric guitar during the Headquarters sessions. Here, Micky is playing it.

Mike Nesmith Gibson acoustic
Mike is seen above with his Gibson acoustic guitar during the "Naked Persimmon" segment on 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee. This same guitar was used during a spoof of his song "Joanne" on Elephant Parts in 1981. He has also used a Guild six string that can be seen below. Today, Nez plays a Martin J-40 twelve string acoustic guitar.
Guild guitar Monkees
RCA Studios / January 1969
Monkees instruments
Note the blonde Fender Stratocaster on the riser next to Micky during the filming of the "Circle Sky" scene for the movie Head. It is unknown whether or not this was Mike's standby guitar that day.
Micky Dolenz Moog synthesizer
Micky owned one of the very first production models of a Moog synthesizer. He was fascinated with the keyboard instrument after seeing it on display at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. Micky would later play the Moog on Michael Nesmith's "Daily Nightly" in 1967. "It was actually a pretty difficult thing to use," Micky later said, recalling how those first-generation synthesizers had to be physically rewired for every different sound the musician might want to use. "I threw a party for John Lennon one night, and he sat there at the Moog for four hours making flying saucer sounds. It was great for flying saucer sounds."
Michael Nesmith pedal steel
 Michael has owned a few pedal steel guitars over the years and currently owns one. He had a custom model made by Sho-Bud in 1968 when he recorded in Nashville, Tennessee. Here Nez tests what looks to be a Fender pedal steel during soundcheck at the Hollywood Bowl in 1967. It is thought that this might be the first pedal steel he ever owned.
Monkees Gretsch instruments
In this photo from November 1966, The Monkees, with their Gretsch instruments, rehearse for their first concert tour.
Michael Nesmith Fender acoustic guitar
Mike is shown above playing a 12-string Fender acoustic guitar (to sub for the usual Gretsch) while on tour with The Monkees in the summer of 1967. This guitar was used for one show - which was one of the four concerts officially recorded that summer.​

Who designed the Monkees guitar logo

​The iconic Monkees Guitar Logo, designed for 

Screen Gems by artist Nick LoBianco

Monkees Rainbow Room
(Photo by Henry Diltz)

EMAIL
DISCUSS
This website is not officially affiliated with The Monkees or Rhino Entertainment
  • HOME
  • '60s
    • 1966 PROMOTIONAL TOUR
    • 1966 - 1967 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
    • 1967 US / BRITISH TOUR
    • "HEAD" (ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE) CONCERT
    • AUSTRALIA & JAPAN 1968
    • 1969 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
  • '70s
    • THE MONKEES LIVE IN 1970
    • THE GREAT GOLDEN HITS OF THE MONKEES (Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart)
  • '80s
    • 1986 'SOUND OF THE MONKEES' AUSTRALIAN TOUR
    • 1986 '20th ANNIVERSARY' NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
    • THE GREEK THEATRE 1986 (all four Monkees reunited)
    • 1987 'SOUND OF THE MONKEES' AUSTRALIAN TOUR
    • 1987 NORTH AMERICAN 'HERE WE COME AGAIN' TOUR
    • 1988 AUSTRALIAN TOUR
    • 1989 EUROPEAN TOUR
    • 1989 NORTH AMERICAN / JAPANESE TOUR
    • UNIVERSAL AMPHITHEATRE 1989 (all four Monkees reunited)
  • '90s
    • 'MICKY AND DAVY: TOGETHER AGAIN'
    • 1996 '30th ANNIVERSARY' NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
    • BILLBOARD LIVE 1996
    • 1997 UNITED KINGDOM 'JUSTUS' TOUR
    • 1997 US TOUR
  • '00s
    • 2001 US TOUR
    • 2002 NORTH AMERICAN / UNITED KINGDOM 'MONKEEMANIA' TOUR
  • '10s
    • 2011 '45th ANNIVERSARY' WORLD TOUR
    • AN EVENING WITH THE MONKEES (THE 2012 TOUR)
    • A MIDSUMMER'S NIGHT WITH THE MONKEES (THE 2013 TOUR)
    • 2014 MONKEES TOUR
    • AN EVENING WITH THE MONKEES (FEATURING MICKY DOLENZ & PETER TORK)
    • GOOD TIMES: THE 50th ANNIVERSARY TOUR
    • THE PANTAGES THEATRE 2016 (Michael Nesmith's final Monkees concert)
    • THE MONKEES PRESENT: THE MIKE NESMITH & MICKY DOLENZ SHOW
  • '20s
    • THE MONKEES FAREWELL TOUR WITH MICHAEL NESMITH & MICKY DOLENZ
  • GEAR
  • BLOG
  • MISC
    • HEADQUARTERS RADIO PROGRAM
    • PRINT & WEB ARCHIVE
    • LINKS
    • ABOUT