The guitar Mark Knopfler knew was too good for him: “I can’t take this”
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.
In short
- 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.
Explained simply
Mark Knopfler is a British guitarist and singer best known as the frontman of Dire Straits. Tony Joe White was an American singer and guitarist whose songs included “Polk Salad Annie”; he also played guitar on recordings by other artists.
White had used the Gibson ES-330 on Brook Benton’s 1970 recording of “Rainy Night in Georgia”, then later gave it to Knopfler in exchange for an acoustic guitar. Knopfler has said the instrument’s worn fingerboard showed how much it had been played, and he had it replaced.
Guitars used on famous recordings can carry a history beyond their sound, linking musicians and songs across generations. Knopfler’s choice to keep White’s guitar stands out because he sold other well-known instruments at auction in 2024 and donated part of the proceeds to charity.