It is almost impossible to picture Elvis Presley without a guitar in his hands. From his groundbreaking first album cover to his numerous cinematic roles, and from the legendary ’68 Comeback Special to the historic “Aloha from Hawaii” broadcast, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll always kept a guitar nearby. Music was the pulse of his life, and he was always ready to play. While he is primarily celebrated as a vocalist, Elvis was also a passionate instrumentalist who enjoyed playing both the acoustic guitar and the bass guitar.
His musical journey started humbly when Elvis received his very first guitar at the age of 11. For many years, that modest instrument was his only companion. However, as his career skyrocketed and he solidified his status as a global phenomenon, he began collecting exceptional instruments. Today, many of these guitars are cemented in pop culture history. Let us take a closer look at a few of the legendary guitars made famous by the King, which remain foundational pieces of oldies music history.
The 1955 Martin D-28
Before acquiring this legendary instrument, Elvis played a 1942 Martin D-18 during 1954 and 1955. In 1955, he decided to trade it in for a newer Martin D-28 at the O.K. Houck Piano Co. in Memphis, Tennessee. This particular music store was a favorite of Elvis, and he frequently purchased his instruments there during the foundational years of his career. He utilized the Martin D-28 as his primary performance instrument for a little over a year.
This specific guitar holds a monumental place in music history because it is the exact instrument Elvis is seen playing on the cover of his iconic self-titled debut album. Beyond its incredible sound, the guitar is instantly recognizable for its gorgeous, intricate leather cover. This custom cover was meticulously handmade by an employee at the very music store where Elvis bought the guitar, giving it a distinctive look that defined his early rockabilly era.
The 1956 Gibson J200
This instrument possesses a majestic aesthetic that truly looks like it belongs to rock ‘n’ roll royalty. Elvis absolutely loved this guitar and incorporated it heavily into his live shows, utilizing it in many of his famous 1957 concerts and television appearances.
The guitar has a fascinating history of modification. After returning home from his service in the U.S. Army, Elvis asked his longtime guitarist, Scotty Moore, to send the heavily worn instrument back to the manufacturer to be completely refurbished. However, the restoration work could not be completed in time for Elvis’ upcoming March 20 recording session in Nashville. To accommodate him, he was given a brand-new 1960 Gibson J200 that looked nearly identical to his original.
Meanwhile, his beloved 1956 model received a stunning facelift from Gibson. The craftsmen replaced the original red pickguard with a sleek new black one and inlaid Elvis’ name in striking letters across the fingerboard. This stylized version made its grand debut in promotional publicity shots for the film Wild in the Country and was later featured prominently in the documentary Elvis: That’s The Way It Is. Because he grew to love the replacement 1960 J200 just as much, Elvis kept both instruments, utilizing the 1960 model during the iconic ’68 Special and numerous live concerts throughout his later touring years. Both instruments are cherished highlights of the permanent archival collection at Graceland.
Fender Precision Bass
While fans are accustomed to seeing the King strumming a standard acoustic, he was also highly proficient on the bass. Many dedicated followers recognize this specific Fender Precision Bass from a famous March 1965 photograph showing Elvis casually playing it in the comfort of the Graceland living room.
This beautiful bass guitar also made its way onto the silver screen, where it can be spotted during musical numbers in his feature film Spinout. However, as memorable as the Fender bass was in that production, it was not the only remarkable instrument utilized during the project.
1965 Gibson EBS-1250 Double Bass
This striking, unconventional instrument features heavily in marketing materials, publicity photographs, and promotional artwork for Spinout. Despite its prominence in the movie’s advertisement campaigns, Elvis is only seen playing the double-neck instrument very briefly toward the end of the actual film. Earlier in the movie, his co-star Jimmy Hawkins can be seen handling the instrument.
Once film production wrapped up, Elvis took ownership of the Gibson EBS-1250. It quickly transitioned from a movie prop into one of his absolute favorite personal guitars to play at home. This unique hybrid instrument is safely preserved as a prized piece of history within the Graceland Archives.
The Gibson Ebony Dove
Perhaps one of the most talked-about instruments in the collector world is the Gibson Ebony Dove. This striking black guitar was chosen by Elvis to accompany him during his groundbreaking, globally broadcasted Aloha from Hawaii television special. This specific instrument represents a massive milestone in the live performance history of oldies music.
Aside from the historic Hawaii broadcast, Elvis utilized this guitar heavily during his grueling concert schedules in the 1970s. The instrument is customized with a distinctive Kenpo Karate decal—reflecting Elvis’ deep passion for martial arts—and features his name beautifully inlaid along the length of the fingerboard.
The guitar’s journey after Elvis is just as legendary as its time on stage. During a concert in Asheville, North Carolina, Elvis generously gifted the valuable guitar directly to a fan sitting in the front row. That incredibly lucky fan cherished the instrument for decades before deciding to share it with the world by offering it up for public acquisition.
The legacy of these instruments continues to keep the spirit of vintage rock ‘n’ roll alive. Each guitar tells a unique story of a young boy from Mississippi who took an 11th-birthday gift and used it to reshape the landscape of global music culture forever. Explore these timeless melodies and discover the incredible history behind the instruments that helped create the King of Rock ‘n’ roll.