Mark Knopfler and his guitars

I am no expert when it comes to guitars, but I thought it would be nice to make an overview of all the guitars that Mark Knopfler used over the years for recording sessions, live performances, charities, just have used once for a special occasion and guitars that were presented to him as a gift. This overview is most likely not complete (will it ever?), but it's just an attempt to be as complete as possible. The information I gathered is taken from the official Mark Knopfler Guitar Styles books, the official MK News website, the diaries on Guy Fletcher's website, various articles on the internet, tour books, DVD's, magazines, info from luthiers Rudy Pensa & John Suhr, from sites of real guitar experts like Mark Knopfler - Unofficial website and Ingo Raven´s site and from people who sent me mails to correct things or give additional information. If you have any information of a certain guitar missing and you can send me a picture of that particular guitar (preferably with Mark Knopfler on that picture too), I will add it to this overview. And as you can see, I also have some pictures of Mark Knopfler with guitars that I don't know. If you can provide more details on this, I would be happy to receive it to make this list more accurate. Many thanks and enjoy the overview!

The guitars listed by brand

► Beltona	► Gibson	► Pensa-Suhr
► Burns	► Godin	► Pensa
► D'Angelico	► Gretsch	► Ramirez
► Danelectro	► Guild	► Reverend
► Del Vecchio	► G-Sharp	► Rickenbacker
► Dobro	► Höfner	► Schecter
► Don Grosh	► John Suhr	► Steinberger
► Draleon	► Kay	► Takamine
► Eastman	► Martin	► Taylor
► Eko	► Monteleone	► Teisco
► Erlewine	► National
► Fender	► N.S. Phillips
► Fernandes	► Optek
► Gianinni	► Ovation	► Unknown guitars

Number of guitars listed so far: 135

Beltona

	Brand	Beltona
	Type	Electro Resonator
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Mark used this guitar for Denomination blues, K.C. Moan and Can't be satisfied with the Notting Hillbillies in both 1998 and 1999. At the Mark Knopfler & Friends charity shows in July 2002, Mark used it for Can't be satisfied. Mark got this guitar as a present at the end of the Golden Heart tour, 4th August 1996. It is engraved on the back with the 'Golden Heart' emblem, initials and date. See also this article, taken from www.beltona.net.

	Brand	Beltona
	Type	Mandola
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	According to this article, Mark Knopfler also owns a Beltona Mandola (Mandolin). I don't have a picture of that actual guitar, but it is most likely something like the picture on the left which is taken from www.beltona.net. I never read or saw anything about this before and I am not 100% sure if that info from the Beltona site is accurate regarding this instrument being part of Mark's collection.

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Burns

	Brand	Burns
	Type	Baldwin
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This is a 12 (double 6) string guitar. Mark used the guitar on Angel of mercy during the On location tour in 1981. Click here and here for some pictures of that early period. On 20th June 1986, Mark used the guitar again at the Prince's Trust Rock Gala on the song Sailing by Rod Stewart.

	Brand	Burns
	Type	Baldwin
	Year	2006
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This is Mark's other 12 (double 6) string guitar. Richard Bennett used it in March 2009 on the studio version of Cleaning my gun.

	Brand	Burns
	Type	White Bison (albino)
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This picture is taken by Guy Fletcher in British Grove Studios in May 2011. The White Bison is indicated by the red arrow. Click here for a better picture of a similar guitar.

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D'Angelico

	Brand	D'Angelico
	Type	Excel
	Year	1930's
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Guy Fletcher showed this picture of Richard Bennett holding Mark Knopfler's D'Angelico from the 1930's in his Studio Diary from August 2011. Click here for another picture. So far, I haven't found a picture yet of Mark himself with this guitar.

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Danelectro

	Brand	Danelectro
	Type	59-DC Standard
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This guitar is a first reissue of Danelectro Shorthorn introduced in 1959. All 59-DC guitars were sold between 1998 and 2001. On stage, Mark used it to play Donegan's gone and Right now.

	Brand	Danelectro
	Type	Silvertone 1452 Hornet
	Year	1968
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This is the original Silvertone 1452 model, introduced in 1966 and retired in 1968. In an interview, Mark said: "I got into these guitars in a big way through knowing Mike Henderson. The last time I played with him in a Nashville club, women danced on the tables.” Mark used this in the studio for Boom, like that (Shangri-La 2004), Stand up guy (Shangri-La 2004), Don't crash the ambulance (Shangri-La 2004). On the Shangri-La tour in 2005, he used it on stage to play Boom, like that.

	Brand	Danelectro
	Type	Jizzblaster (also known as "the Mark Knopfler model")
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Manufactured by Subway Guitars, USA. This guitar is made up in California from 1960's Danelectro parts and are a real bargain at just $400. Mark Knopfler has one too. I don't have a photo of Mark playing this guitar and the pictures shown on the left is also not Mark's actual guitar, but a similar model.

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Del Vecchio

	Brand	Del Vecchio
	Type	Dinâmico
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Del Vecchio is a Brazilian instrument manufacturer. Founded by Angelo Del Vecchio in 1902. In the 1930's, they began the production of resonator guitars, resulting in their most famous model: the Dinâmico, their trade term for resophonic instruments. This screenshot is taken from the Rock Steady special about Chet Atkins and Mark Knopfler, broadcasted on 27th February 1990.

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Dobro

	Brand	Dobro (Gibson era)
	Type	Unknown
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	On 11th July 2007, Mark Knopfler was made an honorary Doctor of Music at Sunderland University for his outstanding achievements in the field of music. This picture is taken on that day. Dobro is a registered trademark, now owned by Gibson Guitar Corporation. When Gibson acquired the trademark in 1994, the company announced that it would defend its right to Dobro's exclusive use. The body of the guitar is almost identical to the standard model on this picture. The one Mark holds is engraved and has big markers on the neck. Dobro released this high model as a kind of deluxe serie.

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Don Grosh

	Brand	Don Grosh
	Type	Electrajet
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Don Grosh has been producing guitars since 1993. The Electrajet series was launched in 2008. It's a custom built guitar. Mark used this guitar on Piper to the end during the Get lucky tour in 2010.

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Draleon

	Brand	Draleon
	Type	Unknown
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This is in fact not Mark's guitar. It belongs to Guy Fletcher. Guy took this picture during the Kill to get crimson tour in Lisbon, 4th April 2008. Mark warms up Guy's Draleon archtop guitar prior to the meet and greet of that evening.

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Eastman

	Brand	Eastman
	Type	AR810CE
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Mark Knopfler used this guitar during the meet and greets before some shows of the All the roadrunning tour 2006.

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Eko

	Brand	Eko
	Type	700
	Year	1960
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Mark used this Italian guitar on Song for Sonny Liston on the Shangri-La album (2004). I don't have a photo of Mark playing this guitar and the picture shown on the left is also not Mark's actual guitar, but a similar model.

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Erlewine

	Brand	Erlewine
	Type	Automatic
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This custom guitar was used on Industrial disease during the Love over gold tour 1982-1983 and Brothers in arms tour 1986. On the Erlewine Guitars site they also talk about the Erlewine Automatic and they mention: "We liked the way Mark Knopfler used the Erlewine Automatic for that famous starting riff on Dire Straits’ “Money For Nothing.” Personally, I doubt that this is correct as Mark Knopfler says something else when he is interviewed for the magazine Guitar & Bass from May 2005. Click here for an extract of that interview, which includes the part about the song Money for nothing. Not a word about an Erlewine guitar.

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Fender

	Brand	Fender
	Type	Stratocaster
	Year	1961
	Serial number	80470
	Additional info	It was Mark's main guitar from 1977 until 1979. The guitar was used on the Dire Straits (1978) and Communiqué (1979) albums. And you can see it in the videos of Sultans of swing, Wild west end, Lady writer and on various live shows like for example Rockpalast 1979. Mark does not have this guitar anymore, it was auctioned for a charity.

	Brand	Fender
	Type	Stratocaster
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	I have no further information on this guitar, except that it was played and signed by Mark Knopfler and later displayed, probably for an auction. The picture is too unsharp to read the exact text. When I sharpened the picture slightly in Adobe Photoshop, it looks like the last line mentions: "May 5 2001 - The Rosemont Theatre". Well, that date and venue are a correct match and were part of the Sailing to Philadelphia tour in 2001. At first I thought the date on the guitar was '89, but maybe it's actually '01 then. Unsure if this is the famous #80470 model from 1961 that was auctioned for a charity, but I don't think so.

	Brand	Fender
	Type	Stratocaster
	Year	1961
	Serial number	68354
	Additional info	The guitar was bought second-hand and had a 'natural wood' finish but was repainted in red by Steve Phillips. It is the second Stratocaster used from 1977 until 1980. Later, it was used for the studio recording of the song On every street (1991) and Mark used the guitar on What it is during the Sailing to Philadelphia tour in 2001. This guitar was the basis for the Fender Stratocaster Mark Knopfler Signature Edition. Click here for a picture of the early 80's which clearly shows the damage of the paint of this actual guitar. And click here for a nice magazine cover featuring Mark with this guitar. The Japanese / Chinese (?) magazine The guitar featured a great article in 2001 listing all of Mark Knopfler's guitars which he used on the Sailing to Philadelphia tour 2001. The article featured seperate photos of each of these guitars. Click here for a photo of the Fender Stratocaster from 1961.

	Brand	Fender
	Type	Stratocaster
	Year	1954
	Serial number	059
	Additional info	1954 was the first year of mass production for the Fender Stratocaster. Stratocasters from this year are highly sought after and consequently extremely hard to get and very expensive. Mark's guitar is from the third month of manufacture. Mark Knopfler got this guitar from his friend Paul Kennerly, and he calls it the "Jurassic Strat". The guitar was used on You don't know you're born (2002), Everybody pays, Summer of love, Our Shangri-La (2004), The car was the one, Remembrance Day (2009). On tour, Mark used it for songs like I'm the fool, So far away and Our Shangri-La. The Japanese / Chinese (?) magazine The guitar featured a great article in 2001 listing all of Mark Knopfler's guitars which he used on the Sailing to Philadelphia tour 2001. The article featured seperate photos of each of these guitars. Click here for a photo of the Fender Stratocaster from 1954.

	Brand	Fender
	Type	Stratocaster
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Mark Knopfler and his band joined Bob Dylan for a series of shows around England and Europe in autumn 2011. Mark opened the show followed by a set performed by Bob Dylan. On various shows, Mark also played guitar on some of Dylan's songs. Most of the time with his old Les Paul but on some tracks Mark used a Fender Stratocaster with Lipstick-Pickups. The pictures on the left are taken during Forever young, played on the last day of this joint tour. It was the the final track of Dylan's set with Mark Knopfler on guitar and vocals. Recorded at Hammersmith Apollo, London, UK, 21st November 2011. According to Guy Fletcher, it is one of Mark's own guitars. The pickups were put in by Seymour Duncan. It's the guitar that Mark warms up on in the dressing room each night. Click here for a close-up of the Lipstick-Pickups (not Mark's actual guitar).

	Brand	Fender
	Type	Stratocaster
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Mark used this white Fender on the recording of Chet Atkins and Friends, 1st and 2nd May 1987. This guitar has black elements and black knobs.

	Brand	Fender
	Type	Stratocaster
	Year	1965
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Mark Knopfler bought this guitar in September 1999. The guitar was used on Sailing to Philadelphia on the Sailing to Philadelphia album. The guitar was also used in the promo concerts in 2000 and on Sailing to Philadelphia during the Sailing to Philadelphia tour 2001. The Japanese / Chinese (?) magazine The guitar featured a great article in 2001 listing all of Mark Knopfler's guitars which he used on the Sailing to Philadelphia tour 2001. The article featured seperate photos of each of these guitars. Click here for a photo of the Fender Stratocaster from 1965.

	Brand	Fender
	Type	Stratocaster - Mark Knopfler Signature Edition
	Year	2003
	Serial number	SE 00000 / SE 00001
	Additional info	In July 2003, Fender released a Mark Knopfler Signature Edition of the Stratocaster, made to Mark Knopfler's specs. Mark uses this guitar on stage since the Shangri-La tour in 2004. Nice detail of the guitar is that it features Mark's signature on the headstock. On tour, Mark uses more of these Signature Edition Stratocasters on stage, so there are more serial numbers, but at least Mark has the very first one ever made with this unique five zero serial number.

	Brand	Fender
	Type	Stratocaster
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Mark Knopfler and band performed a charity show in London on behalf of the Prince's Trust at The Hurlingham Club on 9th September 2009. Mark used a Fender Stratocaster that looks new, but which has Fender Custom Shop Logo on the headstock instead of the MK Signature. The only red one I know of which he still has without his signature, is the Strat from 1961, but the guitar on the show looks new. So, it's unclear for me if this guitar is Mark's or just one used for this show only.

	Brand	Fender
	Type	Stratocaster - Mark Knopfler Signature Edition
	Year	Most likely 2009
	Serial number	SE 06406
	Additional info	On 12th September 2009, Mark Knopfler, Guy Fletcher, Luke Brighty and John McCusker performed at a private, invitation only fundraising event for the Pallant House art gallery in Chichester. Mark played one of his own MK signature Strats during the show and this actual guitar has been auctioned on Ebay to raise funds for the gallery. It raised an amazing £6,300 which went to the Pallant House Gallery Appeal Fund. See one more picture (taken by Guy Fletcher) of this actual guitar during rehearsals at British Grove for several events: The Prince's Trust (9th September), Taratata (11th September) and finally the Pallant event on 12th September.

	Brand	Fender
	Type	Stratocaster - Mark Knopfler Signature Edition
	Year	Most likely 2009
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	News from November 2009: StarCards.org will auction a collection of signed Great Ormond Street Hospital playing cards by legendary & renowned guitar players from the 5th November 2009, including Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton, Gary Moore, Steve Vai, Francis Rossi, Rick Parfitt, Phil Hilborne, Neil Murray, Paul Carrack, Joe Brown, Scott Mckeon, and Ramon Diaz. The highlight of the auction is a Fender Stratocaster Mark Knopfler signature model guitar donated by Fender UK and Bonnersmusic.co.uk of Eastbourne with a hard case as well as a unique display cabinet donated by Wallsoffame.co.uk. The Fender will be signed and personalised by Mark for the winning bidder and will be on display at Bonners until the 15th November. The auction starts on the 5th November and finishes 10 days later on Sunday 15th November. It raised an amazing £7,100 and was personalised by Mark for the winning bidder in Canada. So, not a guitar that Mark Knopfler owned and played himself before it was framed, but I thought it would be nice enough to list it here.

	Brand	Fender
	Type	Stratocaster - Mark Knopfler Signature Edition
	Year	Most likely 2011
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	On 19th May 2011, Mark Knopfler played at a special fundraising charity gig before an invited audience at the newly opened Corinthia hotel in London. The event was in aid of The Gender Rights & Equality Action Trust (GREAT). Among the highlights of the evening was the auction of Mark's guitar which he used on his performance. The guitar was sold for a very impressive £75,000! As no photography was allowed during Mark's performance, I don't have any pictures of Mark and the actual guitar. The picture on the left shows an identical guitar. It's the official promo photo from Fender featuring the Stratocaster Mark Knopfler Signature Edition, dated from 2004.

	Brand	Fender
	Type	Stratocaster
	Year	Most likely 2006
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	On 9th March 2006, Mark Knopfler made a special appearance at a charity event, raising £20,000 in the process. The star-studded gala in aid of Starlight Children’s Foundation was hosted by comedian and playwright Ben Elton, and raised enough funds to fulfill the dreams of one hundred seriously and terminally ill children. The event took place at the London Hilton on Park Lane hotel. Eighteen year old James Mayley was invited along to the evening to have his Starlight wish granted. James, a devoted Knopfler fan, has spent the last two years fighting a Ewing’s sarcoma. His wish was for a hot rod red, left-handed Stratocaster guitar. His day took an exciting and unexpected turn when his hero presented the guitar in person! Knopfler then took to the stage in front of the 650-strong audience with an electron blue Standard Stratocaster guitar, raising £20,000 for Starlight Children's Foundation. The song he played on this guitar was Wild theme from his Local hero soundtrack. The event, named The Starlight Ball, was a resounding success, raising over £300,000 for Starlight's seriously and terminally ill children.

	Brand	Fender
	Type	Stratocaster
	Year	Unknown, most likely 2002
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Mark Knopfler used this pink Fender Stratocaster on 23rd July 2002. It was a charity show on behalf of Save the baby. Mark used this guitar that evening to play Your own sweet way, What it is, So far away and Going home. After the concert, the guitar was signed by Mark and sold to raise extra money for the charity.

	Brand	Fender
	Type	Stratocaster
	Year	Unknown, most likely 2002
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Mark Knopfler used this green Fender Stratocaster on 24th July 2002. It was a charity show on behalf of Teenage Cancer Trust. Mark used this guitar that evening to play Your own sweet way. After the concert, the guitar was signed by Mark and sold to raise extra money for the charity.

	Brand	Fender
	Type	Stratocaster
	Year	Unknown, most likely 2002
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Mark Knopfler used this blue Fender Stratocaster on 25th July 2002. It was a charity show on behalf of Leuka 2000. Mark used this guitar that evening to play Your own sweet way, What it is and Going home. After the concert, the guitar was signed by Mark and sold to raise extra money for the charity.

	Brand	Fender
	Type	Stratocaster
	Year	Unknown, most likely 2002
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	On 1st December 2002, Mark Knopfler did a performance of Why aye man at the Aids-gala, Germany. After the song, Mark donated a Fender Stratocaster to be auctioned for the charity. In the show, he signed it to raise extra money. Mark says: "Well, I would like to give the gift of music to the good cause. I have a guitar, one of my Fender guitars, a guitar I loved very much." Well, in another broadcast you can see this same guitar again and see the cards hanging to the headstock, so I really think it's "just" a brand new guitar and not one of Mark's personal guitars. Anyway, I thought it would still be nice to list it here.

	Brand	Fender
	Type	Stratocaster
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Mark never used it this guitar himself. It is actually Guy Fletcher's Mexican Fender Stratocaster which Mark just tested in the studio.

	Brand	Fender
	Type	Stratocaster
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	I found this picture on the internet, if I remember right I saved it from Guy Fletcher's site. Since the guitar has a rosewood neck, it's not the Jurassic Strat from 1954 or Guy's Mexican Stratocaster. In case you have more details about this guitar, I would be happy to hear it so I can add it here.

	Brand	Fender
	Type	Stratocaster
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	On 2nd April 1984, Mark accompanied his brother David Knopfler onstage for David's song Madonna's daughter. Performed at the Ariston Theatre, San Remo, Italy. Click here for one extra picture.

	Brand	Fender
	Type	Telecaster Thinline
	Year	1969
	Serial number	226254
	Additional info	This guitar is actually from David Knopfler, but Mark used it live on Water of love in the early days of Dire Straits and David used it on Wild west end. The Telecaster Thinline was originally a hollow-bodied guitar with f-holes. To make it look like a solid body guitar, the f-holes were later filled by Steve Phillips who also painted it black.

	Brand	Fender
	Type	Telecaster Custom
	Year	1966
	Serial number	178112
	Additional info	This is Mark's sunburst Telecaster Custom. It was bought in the early days of Dire Straits (1977-1978). It was then played by David Knopfler. Later Mark used this guitar on The Notting Hillbillies album Missing... presumed having a good time (1990) and live for That's alright mama with The Notting Hillbillies in 1990 and on Setting me up during the On every street tour 1991-1992. Later, it was also played by Guy Fletcher on the live version of Why aye man. Click here for another nice photo of this guitar (right).

	Brand	Fender
	Type	Telecaster
	Year	1954
	Serial number	4545
	Additional info	Mark used this guitar when touring with The Notting Hillbillies, and later it was also used for songs like A night in summer long ago (1996), Setting me up (1997, 1998, 1999), Prairie wedding (2001, 2010) and Belle Starr (2006). The Japanese / Chinese (?) magazine The guitar featured a great article in 2001 listing all of Mark Knopfler's guitars which he used on the Sailing to Philadelphia tour 2001. The article featured seperate photos of each of these guitars. Click here for a photo of this Fender Telecaster from 1954.

	Brand	Fender
	Type	Duo Sonic II
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This picture is taken by Guy Fletcher in British Grove Studios in May 2011. The Duo Sonic II is indicated by the red arrow. Click here for a better picture of a similar guitar.

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Fernandes

	Brand	Fernandes
	Type	Strat
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	The guitar was made in Mexico. Mark used it on the Love over gold album (1982). Click here for another picture of this same guitar.

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Gianinni

	Brand	Gianinni
	Type	Craviola
	Year	Unknown, probably 2000
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	In 2000, Mark Knopfler did his promotion tour for the Sailing to Philadelphia. He also visited Brazil and appeared in the program Video Show on 20th November 2000. The host of the show is Brazilian musician Herbert Vianna. He presented Mark a Brazilian guitar, a Gianinni Craviola. Mark was very pleased with it. He said: "You can tell whether an instrument it good or not just by picking it up" while lifting it up several times. I guess he wouldn't have said that when he concidered it a bad guitar. Giannini is a traditional Brazilian guitar factory. The Craviola model is a premium product of Giannini made with high quality pieces.

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Gibson

	Brand	Gibson
	Type	Les Paul Standard
	Year	1958
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This is very rare and expensive original Gibson Les Paul from 1958. Mark got the guitar in 1995. It was his favourite guitar during the the Golden heart tour in 1996 and was used on a lot of songs. It can also be heart on the albums Sailing to Philadelphia, Shangri-La, Kill to get crimson and Get lucky. Click here for a nice magazine cover featuring this guitar. The Japanese / Chinese (?) magazine The guitar featured a great article in 2001 listing all of Mark Knopfler's guitars which he used on the Sailing to Philadelphia tour 2001. The article featured seperate photos of each of these guitars. Click here for a photo of the Les Paul Standard from 1958.

	Brand	Gibson
	Type	Les Paul Standard
	Year	1959
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Another rare and expensive guitar is this original 1959 Gibson Les Paul. Mark bought this guitar in 1995 or 1996. It is used in tours as a duplicate guitar for '58 Les Paul. Recognizable on the red colours on the outside of the edges which are less faded compared to the '58 Les Paul. Live used for Song for Sonny Liston and Why aye man. The Japanese / Chinese (?) magazine The guitar featured a great article in 2001 listing all of Mark Knopfler's guitars which he used on the Sailing to Philadelphia tour 2001. The article featured seperate photos of each of these guitars. Click here for a photo of the Les Paul Standard from 1959.

	Brand	Gibson
	Type	Les Paul Standard Reissue '59
	Year	1983
	Serial number	90006
	Additional info	This is a reissue of a 1959 Les Paul Standard. Mark got it from Rudy Pensa in 1984. It was Mark's first own Gibson Les Paul Standard. It was modified to get special sound effects. The guitar was used on Money for nothing, Brothers in arms and on You and your friend. This picture is taken in July 2011 by Guy Fletcher during the recording sessions for Mark's new solo album.

	Brand	Gibson
	Type	Les Paul Standard Reissue '59
	Year	Most likely 1985
	Serial number	12849
	Additional info	This is a custom made Les Paul Standard reissue. This guitar was built for Mark by Gibson Custom Shop with his birthdate as the serial number (12th August 1949). Mark used this guitar on stage during the Brothers in arms tour 1985-1986 and on Live Aid, 13th July 1985. In an interview, Mark said: "That was a nice guitar, but it was all about fancy-looking tops, you know? I think a lot of English players actually prefer the plain top, which I do. My '58s kind of a yellowish top, and I really like that, a pale burst. I'm not a big fan of all this over-glossy tiger-stripe thing."

	Brand	Gibson
	Type	Les Paul R9 Reissue
	Year	Most likely 2010-2011
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This is a custom made blue Les Paul R9 Reissue. Mark used this guitar on Brothers in arms during the early shows of European 2011 tour together with Bob Dylan. For that song, it was tuned a bit different compared to the '58 Les Paul that Mark usually uses for this song. Mark decided to go back to his '58 shortly after using it. Mark kept using this guitar during the European 2011 tour on Why aye man and Song for Sonny Liston.

	Brand	Gibson
	Type	SG
	Year	Mid-sixties
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Mark Knopfler used this guitar on Two young lovers during the Love over gold tour 1982-1983.

	Brand	Gibson
	Type	Chet Atkins
	Year	1982
	Serial number	A027
	Additional info	This is an electric classical guitar. The guitar has a solid body, a piezo pick-up under the bridge and nylon strings. Mark used it on Private investigations, Love over gold and the outro of Romeo and Juliet during the Love over gold tour 1982-1983. During the Brothers in arms tour 1985-1986, it was used on Your latest trick, Private investigations and So far away (Calypso version) in 1985-1986. Later it was replaced with the Ramirez Spanish guitar.

	Brand	Gibson
	Type	Super 400 CES
	Year	1953
	Serial number	A22087
	Additional info	A very rare and expensive guitar. Mark used this guitar on Fade to black on the On every street album (1991). On stage, the guitar was used on Run me down during the 1990 UK tour of The Notting Hillbillies and on Your latest trick during the On every street world tour 1991-1992. In 2004, Mark used the guitar again to play Blue moon of Kentucky and Baby let's play house at the tribute show for Elvis Presley.

	Brand	Gibson
	Type	ES-330
	Year	1958
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This picture was taken by Guy Fletcher on 3rd June 2001 with the comment: "Mark's 1958 Gibson 330 was let out for the day (as we're in London). Mark insisted I take a shot of it in the dressing room..."

	Brand	Gibson
	Type	ES-330
	Year	1960
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This picture is taken by Guy Fletcher in the studio in March 2009. The ES-330 from 1960 is indicated by the red arrow. The guitar was used on Behind with the rent and Madame Geneva's on the Kill to get crimson album.

	Brand	Gibson
	Type	ES-335
	Year	1958
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	On the Sailing to Philadelphia tour (2001), Mark used it on Wag the dog and Baloney again. In March 2009, Guy Fletcher took a picture in the studio featuring the various 330/335 guitars. After seeing this picture, a guy on a Les Paul forum mentioned: "That's my old 58 ES-335 in the pic with the LP Special. I sold it to Rudy for a phone # price and I'm sure Mark paid plenty! It was MINT and a real player - perfect neck set and great playability with a full-size ABR-1." Click here for a picture that was posted by this person who owned this guitar. This early 1958 has no fretboard binding. The Japanese / Chinese (?) magazine The guitar featured a great article in 2001 listing all of Mark Knopfler's guitars which he used on the Sailing to Philadelphia tour 2001. The article featured seperate photos of each of these guitars. Click here for a photo of this Gibson ES-335.

	Brand	Gibson
	Type	ES-335
	Year	1959
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This guitar was used on Baloney again on the Sailing to Philadelphia album. Click here for a nice magazine cover of Guitarist, October 2002, featuring this same guitar. Mark Knopfler mentions in the interview that it is the ES-335 (blonde) from 1959. And in Vintage Guitar Magazin from May 2001 this is mentioned: VGM: The picture inside "Sailing to Philadelphia" shows you in a gymnasium with a Gibson ES-335TDN and a tweed Fender amp. MK: It’s a pretty good combination; I played it on “Baloney again” That’s a ’59 335 – again with a nice, fat neck – that I got through Rudy, and the amp is a ’59 Bassman.

	Brand	Gibson
	Type	ES-335
	Year	1960
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This picture is taken by Guy Fletcher in the studio in March 2009. The ES-335 from 1960 is indicated by the red arrow.

	Brand	Gibson
	Type	Advanced Jumbo
	Year	1938
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Mark used this guitar during the Chet Atkins Musician Days in Nashville in June 1998 and during the Sailing to Philadelphia promo tour in 2000 for Baloney again. On the Sailing to Philadelphia album, it was also used on Speedway at Nazareth and Wanderlust. The guitar is later used on Before gas and TV and Remembrance Day on the Get lucky album (2009).

	Brand	Gibson
	Type	Southerner Jumbo
	Year	1953
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Mark used this guitar on Sailing to Philadelphia, All that matters, Back to Tupelo and Sucker row.

	Brand	Gibson
	Type	Les Paul Special
	Year	1958
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This picture is taken by Guy Fletcher in the studio in March 2009. The Les Paul Special is indicated by the red arrow.

	Brand	Gibson
	Type	Les Paul Special
	Year	1959
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This is Mark's first Gibson guitar, he bought it in 1971. Mark used it on Cafe Racers and on the first Dire Straits album. The upper picture was taken on a gig with the Cafe Racers in 1976, a few years before Dire Straits. This 1959 edition has two cutaways while the 1958 version has just one. This is what Mark Knopfler said in an old interview: “We played in pubs in London. I just had this thirty-watt amplifier; we used to stick it up on two wooden chairs," he recalls nostalgically. "I used to play a Gibson Les Paul Special with a pick. It was a double-cutaway Les Paul Special that had been refinished black, probably a 1960. I bought it for £80; this would have been around 1971. My friend Steve Phillips and I painstakingly stripped it and got it back to its original cherry finish, and it was everything to me. I don't know whether I slept with it, but it wasn't far off. I absolutely adored it, and still do. I used it in the Straits when we started. I was actually just looking at a picture of us when we played on Clapham Common [London, 12th October 1977] for Charlie Gillett, and there I am playing the Special. So that's where Gibson started in my life, and that guitar will always have a special place in my heart.” The lower picture was taken before Farrer House, Church Street, Deptford at the very first Dire Straits gig on 9th July 1977. As you can see, by then the guitar was already refinished into the cherry colour and the Bigsby Vibrato was removed.

	Brand	Gibson
	Type	J200
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Mark used this guitar on various performances together with Chet Atkins. For example used by Mark at the Secret Policeman's third Ball in 1987 to perform Imagine and I'll see you in my dreams.

	Brand	Gibson
	Type	Dove
	Year	1965
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This acoustic guitar was used on the song Piper to the end. I have no picture of Mark with the guitar. This picture is taken from the limited edition litho print that could be bought during the Get lucky tour 2010.

	Brand	Gibson
	Type	Chet Atkins Country Gentleman
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	The upper picture is taken at the Chet Atkins Musician Days in Nashville, June 1998. Is Chet giving this guitar to Mark here? The term Country Gentleman has been synonymous with Chet Atkins since the 1950s. Gibson revived Chet's famous archtop model in 1987. This picture is taken from the Premier Guitar website, article from November 2009. The lower picture is taken at a soundcheck during the Shangri-La tour, Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, USA, 13th July 2005. It looks like the same guitar as the upper picture, but the colour of the body and switch are more red. Is it a different guitar or is it just another light that creates a different colour and is it actually the same guitar as above?

	Brand	Gibson
	Type	L-5 CES
	Year	1960
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This is a very rare photo featuring Mark Knopfler's Gibson L-5 CES (right guitar). Mark used this guitar on The Notting Hillbillies album Missing... presumed having a good time (1990). The guitar on the left, a Gibson Super 400, belongs to Steve Phillips and was also used on that album.

	Brand	Gibson
	Type	ES 175D
	Year	1960
	Serial number	510514
	Additional info	Mark got this guitar from Rudy Pensa in the 80's and used it on Would you could you on Willy DeVille's album Assassin of love (1987). This picture is taken from the Mark Knopfler Guitar Styles book, so it is Mark's actual guitar. Unfortunately, I have no picture of Mark together with this guitar. Click here for a picture taken from the Love over gold tour book which shows the guitars that were used for that album. The Gibson ES 175D can be seen in the middle. It has also been used on the Brothers in arms album.

	Brand	Gibson
	Type	ES 5
	Year	1951
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This picture can be found in both the "Live in 85" and "Live in 85/6" tour books. This Gibson has been used for the recording of the Brothers in arms album. See also a picture here of John Illsley in the live room at AIR Montserrat, with a selection of guitars that were used on the album. The Gibson ES 5 is easy to recognize there. Years later, Mark used it again on the 1990 UK tour of The Notting Hillbillies. Click here to see a picture of Mark using this guitar on a concert at The Academy, Plymouth, UK, 16th April 1990. Click here for another picture taken in 1990 when Mark performed together with The Notting Hillbillies.

	Brand	Gibson
	Type	ES 5 Switchmaster
	Year	1957
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	These pictures are taken from the Mark Knopfler Guitar Styles books, so it is Mark's actual guitar. Unfortunately, I have no picture of Mark together with this guitar.

	Brand	Gibson
	Type	L-3
	Year	1926
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This is actually Steve Phillips' own guitar and used on The Notting Hillbillies album Missing... presumed having a good time (1990).

	Brand	Gibson
	Type	J-45
	Year	Uknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	When Mark is asked in an interview about the guitar he used on Iron hand (studio version), he answered: "That was an old [Gibson] J-45. I just sang and played. I wasn't feeling too well." I don't have a photo of Mark playing this guitar and the picture shown on the left is also not Mark's actual guitar, but a similar model.

	Brand	Gibson
	Type	Chet Atkins SST prototype
	Year	1999
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Mark got this guitar which Chet Atkins signed for him on the body. It says: For Mark, a great friend and musician, Chet Atkins, CGP '99.

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Godin

	Brand	Godin
	Type	L.R. Baggs Acousticaster
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Mark rarely used this guitar himself during the On every street tour (1991-1992). I think he only used it at the start of the tour. Click here for another rare photo of Mark using this guitar together with Chris White on saxophone. Most likely it was used on The long highway. That song fits well with the sound of the Acousticaster and the specific bass guitar that John Illsley uses on that song (see photo). And the 1991 live version of The long highway has a saxophone solo at the end which also corresponds with the photo. On that same tour, Phil Palmer used this same guitar on Walk of life, The bug and Iron hand.

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Gretsch

	Brand	Gretsch
	Type	6120
	Year	1957
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Mark used this guitar on stage on Red staggerwing during the All the roadrunning tour 2006 together with Emmylou Harris. According to an interview with Richard Bennett in Vintage Guitar Magazine from June 2006, Mark owns more 1957 Gretsch 6120 guitars, one was used by Richard Bennett on the Shangri-La tour. The lower picture is taken by Guy Fletcher and part of the pre-January 2007 recording diary of the Kill to get crimson album and shows three 6120 models on the front row. In case all of these guitars are Mark's, he has even got three of them! All guitars will most likely be from 1957, concidering some specific details that are featured on the various releases of this guitar. Since the guitars do not feature the G-branded logo on the body and all guitars have the “hump-block” fretboard markers, it indicates that they are actually from 1957.

	Brand	Gretsch
	Type	6121
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	I don't know on which album(s) this guitar is used or when it was used for a live performance. Click here for a magazine picture which shows a bit more of the guitar.

	Brand	Gretsch
	Type	7690 Super Chet
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	84055
	Additional info	This guitar was given to Mark by Chet Atkins. Mark used the guitar on Heart and soul on Willy DeVille's album Assassin of love (1987). I have no picture of Mark with the guitar. This picture with Jack Sonni is taken from the Brothers in arms tour book.

	Brand	Gretsch
	Type	Chet Atkins Country Gentleman
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	The Japanese / Chinese (?) magazine The guitar featured a great article in 2001 listing all of Mark Knopfler's guitars which he used on the Sailing to Philadelphia tour 2001. The article featured seperate photos of each guitar, including this Chet Atkins Country Gentleman. The guitar can also be seen on another photo in that magazine; it's on the top row of guitars, fourth from the right. Since I never saw Mark Knopfler actually playing this guitar, it was most likely taken out on the road as a spare/replacement for the Gibson E-335 from 1958. I don't think it's Richard Bennett's guitar as it is on a rack with only Knopfler's guitars.

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Guild

	Brand	Guild
	Type	Unknown
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	In 1988 and 1989, Mark Knopfler joined Eric Clapton's band on the UK, USA, Canadian and Japanese concerts. Mark used this guitar on the song Can't find my way home.

	Brand	Guild
	Type	Unknown
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This screenshot is taken from the program Lo+Plus, broadcasted on Canal+, 8th November 2000. One of the hosts of the show handed Mark a guitar. Mark says he's working on a song and starts to play it. It's in fact No Cambié and the Spanish audience starts singing it, funny moment. It's most likely not Mark's guitar.

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G-SHARP

	Brand	G-Sharp
	Type	G#
	Year	Probably 2006
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	On 31st May 2006, Mark Knopfler played in Oslo during the All the roadrunning tour. Before the show, the guys from G-Sharp presented Mark a couple of G# guitars. On the official G-Sharp site, this can be read: In Guy Fletchers words: “I'm back at home from an evening with MK. He had a good play with the G# and thought it was excellent, especially the resonance and overall feel and build quality of the instrument.“ Mark made several suggestions to improve the guitar. G-Sharp says: "It is quite overwhelming having suggestions from a guitarist of his caliber on how to improve my design (thank you very much, Mark Knopfler). The future will show if customers are willing to pay a bit more to have these improvements. I would, however, be more than pleased to make a Mark Knopfler signature model including these features, should that be possible !!"

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Höfner

	Brand	Höfner
	Type	V2 Solid
	Year	1964
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This guitar was the answer from Höfner on the much more expensive Fender Stratocaster. Mark's very first guitar was a Höfner V2 Solid which he got from his father for his 15th birthday. It costed 50 UK Pounds at that time. In the documentary "The story of the guitar" (2008), you can see Mark in British Grove Studios with various of his guitars, including this Höfner guitar. This was his very first guitar, nice to see that he kept it! The guitar is featured on some promotional pictures for the Kill to get crimson album.

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Kay

	Brand	Kay
	Type	Unknown
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	On 17th October 2002, Mark Knopfler was in Norway to promote The ragpicker's dream album. The host of the show had an audio recording of Chilly wind, a song that Mark Knopfler and Sue Hercombe played in 1966 on high school. A few pictures were shown of Mark and Sue. Mark explained that this was a Kay guitar 'made out of orange boxes'. He borrowed this guitar from a friend.

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Martin

	Brand	Martin
	Type	D-42
	Year	1945
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Mark used this song live for Who's your baby now and Speedway at Nazareth during the Sailing to Philadelphia tour 2001. The Japanese / Chinese (?) magazine The guitar featured a great article in 2001 listing all of Mark Knopfler's guitars which he used on the Sailing to Philadelphia tour 2001. The article featured seperate photos of each of these guitars. Click here for a photo of this Martin D-42.

	Brand	Martin
	Type	HD-40 MK Signature Edition
	Year	2001
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	All the songs on The ragpicker’s dream were written on this guitar, as were several songs on Shangri-La and All the roadrunning. The guitar was released as a limited edition, just 251 ones were made. Mark Knopfler's unique signature is inlaid in mother of pearl on the neck of the guitar. In 2001, the dinosaur species Masiakasaurus knopfleri was named after Knopfler by paleontologist Scott Sampson and his crew because they were listening to Dire Straits recordings when they discovered the species. Nice detail of this Martin guitar is that the neck block has laser-etched dinosaur Masiakasaurus knopfleri on it. Mark received the first prototype on 25th July 2001, the guitar went in production in January 2002.

	Brand	Martin
	Type	000-40S "Ragpicker's Dream" Signature Edition
	Year	2006
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Each 000-40S Mark Knopfler “Ragpicker’s Dream” Signature Edition has an interior label personally signed by Mark Knopfler and Martin Chairman C. F. Martin IV and is numbered in sequence with the edition total, as well as a special “Ragpicker’s Dream” designation laser etched on the neck block. The guitar was released as a limited edition, just 155 ones were made. Mark Knopfler's unique signature is inlaid in mother of pearl between the 18th and 20th frets. Click here for a photo where you can see Mark with his new signature Martin acoustic being photographed by Simon Tutchener, the lighting designer from the All the roadrunning tour. The photo was made during Production Rehearsals for that tour, May 2006. Mark used this guitar on stage for Marbletown during the Kill to get crimson tour (2008) and Get lucky tour (2010).

	Brand	Martin
	Type	Size 5 Mini Martin
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This is a Size 5 Mini Martin (Terz 12-Fret) made by C.F. Martin & Co. Mark used this guitar on the recording of Remembrance Day for the Get lucky album (2010). The screenshot on the left is taken from that actual recording session.

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Monteleone

	Brand	Monteleone
	Type	Isabella
	Year	2007
	Serial number	242
	Additional info	This custom guitar was made for Mark by John Monteleone, a guitar builder from New York. The guitar was used on the song Monteleone on the Get lucky album. Mark personally selected the quilted Oregon big-leaf maple, the Adirondack red spruce and Macassar ebony from an assortment of woods while visiting Monteleone's workshop in Long Island. The guitar is named after Mark's eldest daughter. The picture is taken from the book "Archtop Guitars: The journey from Cremona to New York" by Rudy Pensa. Click here for another picture of that same guitar.

	Brand	Monteleone
	Type	Autumn
	Year	2005
	Serial number	203
	Additional info	This picture is taken from the book "Archtop Guitars: The journey from Cremona to New York" by Rudy Pensa. According to the MK News website, this is Mark's own guitar.

	Brand	Monteleone
	Type	Radio City
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This picture is taken from the book "Archtop Guitars: The journey from Cremona to New York" by Rudy Pensa. It is in fact Rudy's guitar, but since Mark is pictured with it, I thought it would be nice to include it in this section. Click here for another picture of Mark and this guitar.

	Brand	Monteleone
	Type	Bambino
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This picture is taken from the book "Archtop Guitars: The journey from Cremona to New York" by Rudy Pensa. Since there are no details mentioned for that guitar, I asked Rudy Pensa what kind of guitar this is. I don't know if this is Mark's guitar or that he is just holding it.

	Brand	Monteleone
	Type	Triport
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This picture of Mark and John Monteleone is taken from the book "Archtop Guitars: The journey from Cremona to New York" by Rudy Pensa. Since there are no details mentioned for that guitar, I asked Rudy Pensa what kind of guitar this is. I don't know if this is Mark's guitar or that he is just holding it.

	Brand	Monteleone
	Type	Custom model
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This picture of Mark, Rudy Pensa and John Monteleone is taken from the book "Archtop Guitars: The journey from Cremona to New York" by Rudy Pensa. Since there are no details mentioned for that unfinished guitar, I asked Rudy Pensa what kind of guitar this is. I don't know if this is Mark's guitar or that he is just holding it. Looks like this photo has been taken in Monteleone's workshop.

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National

	Brand	National
	Type	Style "O"
	Year	1937
	Serial number	B1844
	Additional info	The world famous guitar that is featured on the front cover of the Brothers in arms album. Mark bought the guitar from Steve Phillips for 120 UK Pounds in the early seventies. The guitar was used on all Dire Straits records, various Mark Knopfler solo albums and of course on various tours. Most famous songs that this guitar is used on: Romeo and Juliet and the intro of Telegraph road. Click here for a nice picture of three Nationals and click here for two magazine covers featuring Mark with this guitar. Click here and here for two nice pictures showing the back of the guitar which is also beautiful to look at. The Japanese / Chinese (?) magazine The guitar featured a great article in 2001 listing all of Mark Knopfler's guitars which he used on the Sailing to Philadelphia tour 2001. The article featured seperate photos of each of these guitars. Click here for a photo of this famous National.

	Brand	National
	Type	Style "O" Reissue
	Year	2006
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	It is a reproduction of the original National Style "O" guitar, based on the 1937 model specifications. It looks almost identical the old guitar but is more shiny. Mark used this guitar on stage on Done with Bonaparte during the All the roadrunning tour in 2006 and also on The fish and the bird on both the Kill to get crimson tour 2008 and Get lucky tour 2010.

	Brand	National
	Type	Style "O"
	Year	1930's
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	It is a classic National Style "O" guitar but without the palm trees on the top. Mark used this guitar in the Chet Atkins Musician Days in Nashville in June 1998.

	Brand	National
	Type	Tricone
	Year	1928
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Mark bought this guitar in 1969 and used it during the Duolian String Pickers time. Later, Mark used this guitar at least once for a playback version of Romeo and Juliet in 1980 (the srceenshot is taken from that TV performance). Click here for a picture of another Tricone on stage during the Shangri-La tour in 2005. Richard Bennett then played it on All that matters and on the tunes during meet and greets.

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N.S. Phillips

	Brand	N.S. Phillips
	Type	Nobby 12
	Year	1980
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This acoustic guitar was made by Mark's friend and fellow Notting Hillbilly Steve 'Nobby' Phillips. Used on the Notting Hillbillies album. I have no picture of Mark with the guitar. This picture is taken from the Mark Knopfler Guitar Styles book. I am 99% positive that this picture also features a Nobby 12.

	Brand	N.S. Phillips
	Type	14 fret
	Year	1985
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This acoustic guitar was made by Mark's friend and fellow Notting Hillbilly Steve Phillips. Used on the song Get lucky. The upper picture is a screenshot taken from the Rock Steady special about Chet Atkins and Mark Knopfler, broadcasted on 27th February 1990. The lower picture is taken from the limited edition litho print that could be bought during the Get lucky tour 2010.

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Optek

	Brand	Optek
	Type	Fretlight Stratocaster
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Mark appeared in the program Tomorrows World, broadcasted by the BBC, 28th April 1993. Mark tested a special guitar on which you can learn to play the guitar. Lights are embedded in the neck to show you how to play chords. And with the special buttons on the body, you can select various scales and chords. In the end, they asked Mark what he thinks of it. He said: "It wouldn't be for me because I am not really a join the dots player." When Mark is later asked to play a bit on it of his own choice and that he could decide if he plays with the lights on or off, he said: "Well, if all the lights are on, I just start to cry and then I can't see my chords through my tears."

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Ovation

	Brand	Ovation
	Type	Adamas 1187 (black)
	Year	1979
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This guitar was used on The man`s too strong during the Brothers in arms world tour in 1985.

	Brand	Ovation
	Type	Adamas 1187 (blue burst)
	Year	1979
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This guitar was used on Bob Dylan´s Slow train coming, Love over gold and Local hero. The picture on the left is taken from the Love over gold tour book and shows the guitars that were used for that album. The Ovation guitars are on the right, left of the black basses. Click here for a closeup, the 1187 is the one on the right.

	Brand	Ovation
	Type	Adamas 1188 (blue burst)
	Year	1979
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This guitar is similar to the 1187 edition, but the 1188 is a 12 string guitar. The picture on the left is taken from the Love over gold tour book and shows the guitars that were used for that album. The Ovation guitars are on the right, left of the black basses. Click here for a closeup, the 1188 is the one on the left.

	Brand	Ovation
	Type	1116 Classic
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This guitar has nylon strings and can be seen in the video clip of Private investigations.

	Brand	Ovation
	Type	1119 Custom Legend
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This guitar can be seen in the documentary BBC Arena (1980) where Mark plays the unreleased song Making movies on this guitar.

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John Suhr (custom built)

	Brand	"Not really a specific brand" (built by John Suhr)
	Type	Custom built guitar mainly from Schecter parts
	Year	1985
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	John Suhr contacted me in July 2011, mentioning that it was him who built this guitar. It's not a Fender body like most think, the Fender decal on the headstock makes that misleading. Click here to find more details about this guitar, taken from an interview with John Suhr in 1986. During the Brothers in arms tour, Mark used this guitar in 1986 for Sultans of swing, Waltzing Mathilda and Going home. Mark also used this guitar to play Expresso love at the David Letterman show, 30th September 1985 and on The bug (studio and live) during the On every street tour 1991-1992. Later, Mark used it again for some versions of Let it all go during the Kill to get crimson promotion tour in 2007 (see left photo). The guitar was also featured in a lot of magazines. Click here for two nice magazine covers and here for a seperate photo. In 1991, a miniature model of this guitar was made for the Calling Elvis video clip.

	Brand	"Not really a specific brand" (built by John Suhr)
	Type	R Custom
	Year	1984
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	John Suhr contacted me in July 2011, mentioning: "The "R Custom" was built before we used Pensa-Suhr, it was never a "Pensa Guitar". I built and painted that one myself and did all the Synclaviar electronics." This is probably the first guitar built for Mark by John Suhr. The guitar was used (it controlled a Synclaviar) on So far away on the Brothers in arms album. Also Mark used this guitar during the Brothers in arms 1985-1986 tour on Ride across the river and Why worry. Click here for a nice magazine cover featuring Mark with this guitar. And click here for a rare picture of Mark with this guitar, on stage together with Bob Dylan, Melbourne, 19th February 1986.

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Pensa-Suhr

	Brand	Pensa-Suhr
	Type	Prototype Pensa-Suhr
	Year	1984
	Serial number	001
	Additional info	In 1984, Rudy Pensa started a cooperation with his new employee John Suhr who was working on his own guitars. Rudy and John started making guitars under Pensa-Suhr name. According to the book "The official guitar styles of Mark Knopler - Volume 1", this is a 'prototype' Pensa-Suhr and the first guitar John Suhr built under the Pensa-Suhr name. John Suhr contacted me in July 2011, mentioning that the guitar was made from Structural Foam, not wood on the body. It was an experiment and Mark liked it. And John corrected that it was not the first guitar that was built under the Pensa-Suhr name like the book mentions. Mark Knopfler used it on Two young lovers during the On every street world tour 1991-1992. Click here for a closeup.

	Brand	Pensa-Suhr
	Type	'Mark Knopfler Special', later called Pensa-Suhr MK1
	Year	1986
	Serial number	014
	Additional info	The guitar was used on Let it be (Ferry Aid, 1987), Water of love with The Notting Hillbillies in 1990, Vic and Ray and Water of Love during the Golden heart tour in 1996. Mark used the guitar also when he was touring with Eric Clapton in 1987-1989. This guitar was also used on an advertisement for Pensa-Suhr and used in numerous magazines from that time. See two nice magazine covers here.

	Brand	Pensa-Suhr
	Type	MK1
	Year	1988
	Serial number	001
	Additional info	Hand built by John Suhr in de late eighties, a guitar with an interesting story. The guitar debuted during the Nelson Mandela's 70th birthday concert in 1988 and was Mark's main guitar from 1988 until 1993. Heavily used during the On every street world tour 1991-1992 and also used on a couple of songs during the Golden heart tour in 1996. Click here for a picture of this actual guitar and its original flighcase and here for a picture of the guitar displayed during the Pensa Guitars Day 2002 - Pieve Santo Stefano, Italy, 6th September 2002. Click here and here for a picture of this actual guitar during the Pensa Guitars & Friends Days, Orvieto, Italy, 17th - 19th September 2004.

	Brand	Pensa-Suhr
	Type	Unknown
	Year	1988
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	The guitar was used on Randy Newman's Land of dreams album and Mark Knopfler also used it to play some promotional work together with Randy Newman in 1988. Click here for another picture of the same performance (Saturday Night Live, 20th October 1988) and here for a picture of a performance with Randy Newman on Sunday Night (6th November 1988).

	Brand	Pensa-Suhr
	Type	MK-1
	Year	1989
	Serial number	900424
	Additional info	John Suhr contacted me in July 2011, mentioning that the Neck and Neck guitar was made out of a Koa Body, Trans Red and a Pau Ferro neck. "It was not actually built for Mark but we sent it to him for Neck and Neck and he used it on some performances." The guitar was at least filmed in the Poor boy blues video. John Suhr also compared this guitar to the previous one in this list (the Pensa-Suhr used on the Land of dreams album). John said: "I'm not convinced that picture is the same guitar." Personally, I have the same doubts since it looks as if the headstock of that guitar is darker (black). So, I decided to list them both as different guitars. This is the last guitar built for Mark Knopfler under Pensa-Suhr name. In 1991 John Suhr left the company and his name was removed from trademark. Rudy Pensa continued making Pensa guitars. Click here for a picture of this actual guitar displayed during the Pensa Guitars & Friends Days, Orvieto, Italy, 17th - 19th September 2004. Click here for a picture of this actual guitar displayed during the Pensa Days, Formello (Rome), Italy, 24th - 26th November 2006.

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Pensa

	Brand	Pensa
	Type	Pensa Custom
	Year	1993
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	The guitar was used during Golden heart tour in 1996 on Father and son, Golden heart, Last exit to Brooklyn.

	Brand	Pensa
	Type	MK2 (precursor model)
	Year	1996
	Serial number	MK 052096
	Additional info	This guitar was made by Rudy Pensa for Mark in 1996. Nowadays the guitar is called Pensa MK2. Perhaps this guitar was a basis for the Pensa MK2 Signature model announced in 2002. The guitars was used in the Chet Atkins Musician Days in Nashville in 1998, Sailing to Philadelphia tour 2001, Mark Knopfler & Friends concerts 2002, All the roadrunning tour 2006, Kill to get crimson tour 2008 and Get lucky tour 2010. The Japanese / Chinese (?) magazine The guitar featured a great article in 2001 listing all of Mark Knopfler's guitars which he used on the Sailing to Philadelphia tour 2001. The article featured seperate photos of each of these guitars. Click here for a photo of this Pensa MK2.

	Brand	Pensa
	Type	MK80
	Year	2004
	Serial number	0001
	Additional info	In January 2004, Mark Knopfler got a new Pensa Custom guitar, a Daphne Blue MK80 presented to him by his good friend Rudy Pensa. The model's name, MK80, refers to the fact this model of guitar is based on Mark Knopfler's early Schecter he used in the eighties. The guitar's order number was #0188 but it has also been especially numbered #0001 and will be the only MK80 with a triple zero serial number. All other MK80s will have their order number as serial number. It has been engraved with "To Mark with love, R. Pensa." Click here for a picture which shows the front and back of a similar guitar.

	Brand	Pensa
	Type	MK2 Plus
	Year	2005
	Serial number	0260
	Additional info	The model is based on the MK2 Signature model. On 10th June 2005, the guitar was presented to Mark in Milan by Rudy Pensa. The guitar was used during the Shangri-La tour in 2005 on Telegraph road and it was also used on the All the roadrunning tour 2006, but it looks like that Mark prefers to use his oldest 1996 Pensa MK2 as he took that one out on the road in 2008 and 2010.

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Ramirez

	Brand	Ramirez
	Type	Spanish
	Year	1990
	Serial number	A2441
	Additional info	Mark used this guitar for Private investigations during the On every street tour 1991-1992

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Reverend

	Brand	Reverend
	Type	Buckshot
	Year	2010
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	On 27th April 2010, Mark Knopfler got this guitar from the guys from Reverend guitars. Richard Bennett and Guy Fletcher got one too. As far as I know, it has not been used yet on any studio album or live performance.

	Brand	Reverend
	Type	Rocco
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Here is another 2010 picture of Mark Knopfler with the guys from Reverend guitars. Unsure if they also handed Mark this guitar, but it looks like it. From left to right: Joe Naylor, Mark Knopfler and Ken Haas.

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Rickenbacker

	Brand	Rickenbacker
	Type	425
	Year	Most likely 1965
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	A very rare (!) picture which shows Mark Knopfler with a Rickenbacker guitar. He played it on Portobello belle during the Making movies tour in 1981. The 425 was made between 1958 and 1973. In 1965 some 425's were equipped with the unusual Boyd vibrato. Click here for a closeup of Mark's guitar. You can see the space on the pickguard for the vibrato which indicates that Mark's guitar was most likely made in 1965. Click here for a picture of a similar guitar which shows the guitar entirely.

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Schecter

	Brand	Schecter
	Type	Strat
	Year	End of the '70's
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	The guitar was used on Tunnel of love on the Making movies album in 1980. It was stolen in Deptford out of a car, after the Making movies record session.

	Brand	Schecter
	Type	Strat
	Year	1980
	Serial number	S8001
	Additional info	This is Mark's last Schecter Strat and used as a replacement for the first stolen Strat sunburst. The guitar was used on Tunnel of love (1980-1986), Telegraph road (1982-1983), Ride across the river (1985), Romeo and Juliet (outro 1985-1986). In June 2004, Mark donated this guitar to the Eric Clapton's "Crossroads Guitar Auction" run by Christie's in New York. It was sold for just over $50,000. Proceeds of the sale will benefit the Crossroads Centre in Antigua, an addiction treatment centre established by Eric Clapton in 1998.

	Brand	Schecter
	Type	Strat
	Year	1980
	Serial number	S8218
	Additional info	This guitar replaced Mark's Fender Strat and was his main guitar from 1980 until 1986. It was used on various songs during the On Location tour (1980-1981), Love over gold tour (1982-1983), Brothers in arms tour (1985), Live Aid (1985) and during the On every street tour (1991-1992). Click here for a nice magazine cover featuring Mark with this guitar.

	Brand	Schecter
	Type	Strat
	Year	1980
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This is Mark's second Schecter Strat. The guitar was used by Hal Lindes on the Love over gold album and Love over gold tour 1982-1983.

	Brand	Schecter
	Type	Tele
	Year	1982
	Serial number	S8703
	Additional info	Mark got this guitar in 1984 and used it on the Cal soundtrack, on The Notting Hillbillies album Missing... presumed having a good time (1990) and live on the songs When it comes to you (on the first tour with The Notting Hillbillies), Walk of life (various tours) and on Cannibals during the Kill to get crimson tour in 2008. Click here for two nice magazine covers featuring Mark with this guitar. The Japanese / Chinese (?) magazine The guitar featured a great article in 2001 listing all of Mark Knopfler's guitars which he used on the Sailing to Philadelphia tour 2001. The article featured seperate photos of each of these guitars. Click here for a photo of this Schecter Tele from 1982.

	Brand	Schecter
	Type	Tele
	Year	1980
	Serial number	S8421
	Additional info	The lower picture is taken from the Mark Knopfler Guitar Styles book. It's the same guitar as the one on the upper picture, the white pickguard was added later. Mark used the guitar on Miracle on Willy DeVille's album Assassin of love (1987). On stage, Mark used the guitar on Solid rock (1980-1986), Telegraph road (1981) and on Two young lovers (1985-1986).

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Steinberger

	Brand	Steinberger
	Type	GL2
	Year	Probably 1985
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This unusual looking guitar features one piece body / neck construction and no headstock like almost every other guitar has. This GL2 model was first introduced in 1983. Jack Sonni said in an interview that they got two Steinbergers just before before the start of the Brothers in arms tour. Click here for a picture featuring both Mark's and Jack's Steinberger guitars and a comment from Jack Sonni (taken from Guitarist magazine, February 1986). Mark used this Steinberger GL2 live on Money for nothing and One world during the Brothers in arms tour in 1986. Mark also used this guitar to play Money for nothing on the Prince's Trust Rock Gala, 20th June 1986. When Mark is being interviewed by Vintage Guitar Magazine (published in May 2001) and they ask him to comment on various guitars, this is what Mark said about Steinberger: "That’s funny – I’ve just come back from holiday, and I took it with me and played it every day just so I could stay on top of things. It’s great to put it on your back or throw it into the luggage compartment of a plane. I used to use ‘em onstage; it’s a great guitar for touring. It’s strong as a truck." Click here for two other pictures of Mark and this strange looking guitar.

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Takamine

	Brand	Takamine
	Type	Probably a EG340C
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Takamine is a Japanese guitar manufacturer, known for its steel-string guitars. The company was founded in May 1962 and in 1978 they were one of the first companies to introduce acoustic-electric models. This picture of Mark Knopfler and Paddy Moloney is part of the (1995) CD booklet from The long black veil by The Chieftains. Mark's contribution on that album can be heard on The lily of the west. I suspect that the guitar that Mark is holding was used for that recording. Click here for a closeup of the headstock, on the right a picture of another Takamine guitar just to show that it is actually a Takamine.

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Taylor

	Brand	Taylor
	Type	Unknown
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This screenshot is taken from MTV's "Week in week", broadcasted in the USA, 1990. Mark plays an acoustic part of Your own sweet way on it.

	Brand	Taylor
	Type	Unknown
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Mark used this guitar on Iron hand during the On every street tour in 1992. The screenshots are taken from the concerts in Paris, 24th & 29th April 1992.

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Teisco

	Brand	Teisco
	Type	Spectrum 5
	Year	1966
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	Mark used this guitar on Postcards from Paraguay and True love will never fade.

	Brand	Teisco
	Type	Spectrum 5
	Year	1966
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This yellow guitar is Mark's other Spectrum 5. The guitar can be seen in the promo video of True love will never fade. The picture on the left is a screenshot of that (mostly) black and white video.

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Unknown guitars

I am not sure about the brand, type, year and serial numbers of these guitars.
If you have any additional info, please let me know.

	Brand	Unknown
	Type	Unknown
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This picture is taken in February 1970 when Mark Knopfler and Steve Phillips played together as The Duolian String Pickers. You can see Steve on the National Tricone, but I have no idea what guitar young Mark plays here.

	Brand	Unknown
	Type	Unknown
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This picture is taken in during the recording sessions for the Love over gold album (1982). Click here for another picture from that same recording session.

	Brand	Unknown
	Type	Unknown
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This picture is taken on 3rd July 1993 at the Town & Country Club, Leeds, UK. It was a charity concert for the Kirkstall Valley Campaign. The guitar shape looks a bit like the Beltona Electro Resonator, but the pattern of the round metal plate is different, aswell as the dots on the neck.

	Brand	Unknown
	Type	Unknown
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	This guitar is featured on some promotional pictures for the Get lucky album. It does not have Mark's signature in the neck, so it's not the Martin HD-40 MK Signature Edition or 000-40S "Ragpicker's Dream" Signature Edition. And by looking at the dots on the neck, it's also not his Martin D-42.

	Brand	Unknown
	Type	Unknown
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	On 4th October 1995, Vince Gill performed Go rest high on that mountain during the Country Awards at the Grand Ole Opry House, Nashville. Mark played guitar on that track. The guitar looks a bit like a Fender Stratocaster, but the headstock is different. I think it's also different from a Pensa or Pensa-Suhr guitar.

	Brand	Unknown
	Type	Unknown
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	In 1995, Clive James wrote a song and went to Nashville, looking for singers who want to sing his song. Clive performs it for various famous musicians asking tips as James is far from a music talent. He plays it for Mark Knopfler, who is in Nashville at that moment and Mark invites him to actually record the song and let Clive sing the song himself. Mark arranges a studio and records the track with him. The screenshot on the left shows Mark in the studio for that recording session with a guitar which looks like a Fender Telecaster or a Schecter Tele.

	Brand	Unknown
	Type	Unknown
	Year	Unknown
	Serial number	Unknown
	Additional info	In 2000, Mark Knopfler did his promotion tour for the Sailing to Philadelphia. He also visited Brazil and appeared in the program Video Show on 20th November 2000. The host of the show is Herbert Vianna, a Brazilian singer, songwriter and guitarist mainly known for his work with rock band "Paralamas do Sucesso". Herbert brought his own guitar to the interview and asked Mark to play a bit on it (without an amplifier). This is a screenshot of that moment. So, this is actually not Mark's guitar but I thought it would still be nice to list it here.

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