Welcome


JOHN DENVER... An icon of American music, and one of the world’s biggest selling recording artists, was a connoisseur of fine acoustic and electric guitars. As afforded by his international celebrity, he was able to acquire an impressive array of rare and unusual instruments over the course of his extraordinary career.

Much has been written about John Denver’s voice, his music, his personal life, as well as his environmentalism and humanitarian work. Though up until now, very little has been documented regarding the numerous fine instruments that he employed through out his recordings, concert tours and television appearances.

Welcome to The John Denver Guitar Research Site. Dedicated to the memory of John Denver, JDGRS is the only resource of it's kind in the world. This is a web site by fans, for fans. JDGRS's objective is to archive and preserve another fascinating aspect of the career of one of the most celebrated and unique artists of our time...

John Denver 1943 / 1997

We would like to extend our deepest sympathies, our thoughts and our prayers to the Deutschendorf family, and friends of Erma Louise Deutschendorf, who passed away at the age of 87, Sunday January 17, 2010. Erma was an extraordinary woman, and much loved by many of us who had the good fortune to meet her these past years. She will be dearly missed.

 

 


The Guitars


GIBSON

John Denver began his career with several Gibson model guitars, both 6 string and 12 string acoustics... and most unusually, an 18 string guitar.

He switched to Guild models in the late part of the 1960's.

Later on in the 1980's and 90's, he again recorded and toured with several

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GUILD

Guild... John Denver's instrument of choice for his recordings, television shows and tours through out some of his biggest years, the first half of the 1970's.

Of these, the double-pick guard F-50 model 6 string he used was, and still is, considered by many fans to be his most famous and

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YAMAHA

In late 1975 John Denver appeared on his holiday television special 'John Denver's Rocky Mountain Christmas', with a spectacular six-string acoustic guitar unlike any other seen in the United States at the time.

It was a Yamaha prototype that would never be available on the market, outside of Japan.

It was the

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MOSSMAN

Two stunning guitars, a 6 and a 12 string, made by the legendary Stuart Mossman.

John Denver used these particular instruments on world tours (circa) late 1970's.

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OVATION / ADAMAS

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GREVEN

These two fine instruments, a 6 and a 12 string, were produced by famed luthier John Greven, circa 1981/82.

John Denver commissioned their construction as a result of a spirited referral by Andrew Mulroy, a NYC musician and devoted fan of both Denver and Greven.

Mulroy reportedly met Denver after

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SOMOGYI

These rare instruments, a matching 6 and 12 string, were specifically made for John Denver by master guitar builder Ervin Somogyi, circa 1986.

Both guitar's construction feature figured Sitka Spruce soundboards; Brazilian Rosewood backs, sides and bridges; Ebony fingerboards and bridge pins; Honduras Mahogany necks, headstocks, linings and back bracings;

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TAYLOR

John Denver recorded and toured with a considerable number of Taylor models in the years leading up to his passing in 1997.

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GODIN

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MISCELLANEOUS INSTRUMENTS

A collection of photos of miscellaneous / incidental guitars and other instruments used by John Denver through out his career.

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UNKNOWN MODELS

Unknown models of guitars used by John Denver. Can you help us identify them?

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JOHN DENVER'S GUITAR CASES

John Denver was fond of using soft shell cases for his guitars. Consequently, many of his instruments were damaged during the course of their use.

He also liked custom made guitar straps, many of them are visible in countless photographs.

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JOHN DENVER'S ASSOCIATES

John Denver's featured session players, primary band members, and vocalists who worked with him over the years.

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