# The guitar Mark Knopfler knew was too good for him: “I can’t take this”

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-guitar-mark-knopfler-knew-was-too-good-for-him-i-cant-take-this/
- Published: 2026-10-25T13:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-25T14:24:29+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-guitar-mark-knopfler-knew-was-too-good-for-him-i-cant-take-this/
- Topics: Music

## Key points

- Knopfler’s most treasured guitar was a gift from Tony Joe White.
- White played it on ‘Rainy Night in Georgia’.
- Knopfler takes it to every recording session.

## Summary

Mark Knopfler says the guitar he treasures most is a blonde Gibson ES-330 given to him by fellow guitarist Tony Joe White. Although Knopfler initially felt he could not accept an instrument with such a history, he now takes it to every recording session.

White had used the guitar on Brook Benton’s 1970 hit ‘Rainy Night in Georgia’ before switching to a Stratocaster. He gave it to Knopfler after Knopfler had gifted him an acoustic guitar; the instrument’s fingerboard was deeply worn, so Knopfler replaced it. Knopfler sold other iconic guitars at auction in 2024 for £8 million, donating a quarter of the proceeds to charity, but kept White’s gift.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.