Keith Richards Reveals Guitar He Can’t Live Without

via DJ Gerry from Starlight Music / YouTube
Keith Richards, legendary guitarist of The Rolling Stones, has never been one to stick with just one guitar. Over the years, he’s played a wide range of guitars from Gibson and Fender—brands that have become nearly as iconic as he is. But which one stands out as the guitar for Keef? That’s where things get interesting.
From Les Paul to Telecaster—Keef Played Them All
Throughout his career, Richards has explored nearly every corner of the guitar world. In the mid-’60s, he leaned into the Gibson Les Paul. Then came the Firebird during his final days working with Brian Jones. The elegant Gibson ES-355 followed him into the late ’60s and has stayed with him ever since.
Then there’s the Fender lineup—most famously the Telecaster, which he often tuned to open G for that unmistakable Stones groove. He also picked up a Strat whenever the vibe called for it and rocked a Tele Custom during the Some Girls era.
His One and Only? It’s Gotta Be the Tele
When asked to pick just one guitar to keep for life, Richards didn’t hesitate. He said:
“If I only had one, I’d have to go with my Telecaster.
“Just because I know him so well: we have a marriage.”
Though he didn’t name a specific one, most fans would assume he’s talking about Micawber—his most beloved Telecaster. This guitar, always tuned to open G, helped shape Stones classics like “Brown Sugar,” “Honky Tonk Woman,” “Happy,” and “Start Me Up.”
A Guitar That’s Seen It All
Micawber has survived wild decades, including the gritty basement sessions at Nellcote and even a robbery during the Exile on Main Street era. Yet, Richards still plays it live today—even though the guitar is nearly 70 years old. It’s not just an instrument to him—it’s a trusted companion.
After all these years, Keith and his Tele are still rocking strong. And with a bond like theirs, it’s easy to believe they’ll never part ways.