Bruce is known to have a collection of many, many guitars. I tried to find information on as many guitars as possible (this is by no means a complete list) ...

From time to time I'll add information on a new guitar or I'll add information on guitars which are already mentioned. So check out this part in some time again!
If you've found any mistakes or if you have some pictures or information of/ on one guitar (doesn't matter if it is in the list or not), please email me!

Bruce's Equipment

Bruce's Guitars:

Fender Stratocaster (cherryred)
This Stratocaster has white pickguard and a rosewood neck.
I have found two photos of two different appearance in the 80ies. But I do not know when, where, etc. the photos were taken.

Fender Stratocaster (white)
The first photo was taken in the Stone Pony at the "Born to Run" times (around a New Year's Eve (maybe 1975 in Philadelphia)). The second photo was taken at 'The Playpen' in Sayreville/ NJ on October 21st, 1994.
I have no exact information on the model, etc. yet.

'50s Fender Telecaster (black)
This Telecaster has a white pickguard and a rosewood neck.
Bruce used this guitar during the shooting of Southside Johnny's musicvideo "It's Been a Long Time" and during an apperance with "Cats" in Asbury Park/ NJ on August 21st, 1988.

'50s Fender Telecaster (brown-sunburst)
Bruce owns this guitar since the (mid-)80s. He used it quite often during the "Born in the USA" tour. After that tour nobody has seen him playing this guitar onstage again.

'52 Fender Telecaster Esquire (natural)
Bruce's Fender Esquire is as wellknown as Bruce himself. Okay, not as famous as famous as himself but nearly... It was printed on the covers of "Born to Run", "Live 1975-1985", "Human Touch" and "Greatest Hits" and it can be seen in several musicvideos (e.g. "Human Touch", "Born to Run", ...). So that it got immortal.
He got this guitar in 1972. Bruce bought it for $185 in a little guitarshop somewhere in Jersey. The serial number of this guitar features an asterik - indicating it was originally a reject.
The contusion above the pickguard exists since 1978. But how this happened is not known. The dark shadows at the other side originate from Bruce's sweating hands.
It once was a real Fender Esquire. But through the years Bruce has changed some parts to his own taste (e.g.: he changed the pickups and the bridge from time to time). So it got a unique specimen.
I have a few pics (of the same appearance) on which that guitar has a red pickguard (check out the penultimate photo underneath). Meanwhile (1974) the guitar also had a black pickguard, which had small decorations on it (check out the last photo). Later it got its "normal" black pickguard back (again), like it is still today.

Maybe you wonder why Bruce used the old Esquire during "The Rising" tour just a very few times: at one concert of the 2nd American leg he said that it's out of tune after two songs and so it is nearly impossible to play it. In 2004 during the "Vote for Change" tour a piece of it even fell off!

'52 Re-Issue Fender Telecaster
Bruce got this guitar at the beginning of the 90ies. First it was just a backup-model for the Esquire. But since "The Rising" tour this guitar took over the place of the old Esquire.

'53 Fender Telecaster (natural)
This is guitar is equipped with a "Bigsby B5" tremolo effect. Bruce used it during "The Rising" tour rehearsals for "Further on (Up the Road)" at the "Convention Hall" in Asbury Park/ NJ, from where some recordings were shown on "abc" during "Nightline - UpClose" and during the appearance at MTV Music Video Awards 2002 for a part of the show which wasn't shown on MTV that evening.

'53 Re-Issue Fender Telecaster (2-color-sunburst)
Bruce's (new) Tele: He uses this guitar at most parts of his concerts now. Mostly at those parts where he once used his legendary Fender Esquire. It is equipped with an "Bigsby B5 Tremolo" effect.
Meanwhile this guitar also has a fault (on its back), which seems to be caused by Bruce's belt buckle (check out the second photo beneath).
Many parts of the album "The Rising" are played with this guitar (e.g.: the soloparts in "The Rising" and "Worlds Apart").

'53 Re-Issue Fender Telecaster (2-color-sunburst)
It is the same model than the one mentioned above but it is not equipped with a tremolo effect.
It can be seen in the "Live in N.Y.C." video for the first time and also during "The Rising" tour (e.g. on "Land of Hope and Dreams" and "Dancing in the Dark").
During the "Reunion" tour Bruce had at least two of these models. I suppose that one of them is now equipped with a "Bigsby B5" tremolo effect, which was used during "The Rising" tour quite often. If I am of the wrong opinion, please correct me!

'63 Re-Issue Fender Telecaster (black)
This is the back-up model of Bruce's Telecaster 2-color sunburst (with tremolo). It is equipped with a "Bigsby B5" tremolo effect as well.

'63 Fender Telecaster (black)
This is the legendary "naked-lady-guitar" (it has a sticker of a naked oriental woman on the back), which can be seen during the "MTV Unplugged" show. Bruce bought it in the early 90ies.
There is a nice story about this guitar: It was rented as a property for a photo shoot in New York. Later, Bruce couldn't get it out of it his head, finally telling Kevin Buell, his guitar tech, "I don't know what it sounds like but it felt great". Unfortunately, all Bruce knew about the guitar was that it was "a black Tele with a naked lady". It was tracked through the photographer to the shop where it was rented, but it was already sold. Bruce bought it back from the guy who bought it.

Fender Telecaster 12-string (brown-sunburst)
This guitar is a 12-string (Standard ?) Telecaster and it seems to be a new one in Bruce's collection. It was seen during "The Rising" tour (for "The Fuse") the first time.

Gibson ES-335 (brown)
Bruce used this guitar during an appearance together with Southside Johnny in the Stone Pony on 05/ 27/ 2001 and it can be seen on a photo, which was taken during the "Tunnel of Love" photosessions (check out the last photo).

Gibson Hummingbird Acoustic (natural)
It seems that Bruce used this guitar for the recordings of "The Rising" album. I do not have more information on this guitar yet.

1958 Gibson J-200 (3-color-sunburst)
This guitar can be seen in the "Blood Brothers", the "Secret Garden" and in "Countin' on a Miracle (acoustic)" musicvideo.

Gibson J-40 (natural)
Bruce used this acoustic guitar in the early 70ies for some recordings (e.g.: "Greetings from Asbury Park") and also for a few live performances.
The guitar was also used for the recording of a studio version of Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land" together with Bono (and The Edge), Arlo Guthrie and other artists. Check out the musicvideo of the song and the last photo beneath!

Gibson J-45 (tobacco-sunburst)
Bruce used this guitar for very many recordings for different albums (e.g.: "Tunnel of Love", "Greatest Hits", ...). It can be seen in the "Brilliant Disguise" video and in the "Blood Brothers" video while "Blood Brothers", "Secret Garden", etc. are recorded.
This guitar is mainly a "studio-guitar". It had just a very few live appearances, e.g. at the "Harry Chaplin Tribute" in 1987.

1967 Gibson Les Paul (creem)
Bruce used this guitar during the "early years" (Child, Steel Mill, Dr. Zoom & the Sonic Boom and Bruce Springsteen Band). This guitar is supposed to have been his fourth electric guitar. He bought it (aprox.) in 1968 for $300.
The guitar has blond finish, mahogany binding, mahogany neck, 23 fret fingerboard with rectangular abalone inlays, 2 humbucking pick-ups, 1 input, control plate with 1 toggle switch (includes bass, rhythm and treble) and 4 rotary controls, chrome bridge and metal tailpiece and Grover tuning pegs.
This guitar went through several transformations from sunburst to creem to sunburst and finally back to creem before Bruce sold it.
On July 25th, 2003 this guitar was on sale at "Christie's" auction-house (New York; estimate: $35,000-40,000), but it was not sold.

Gretsch Country Gentleman (cadillac-green ?)
This guitar can be found on a picture, which was taken during "The River" time, which can be seen on the sleeve of the 2nd "The River"-record.
Bruce used this guitar for the recording of "From Small Things (Big Things One Day Come)" in 1979 at the Power Station Studios (New York City/ NY). "I busted out my Gretsch "country gentleman" guitar and the band drove the hell out of it in a take or two."

Kent Polaris (sunburst/ black)
This was Bruce's first electric guitar. It's the one that cost $60. It seems that he owned at least two of them (a sunburst one and a black one).

Ovation 6-string Acoustic
I do not have any photos of this guitar. It was mentioned in the "Guitarist" magazine 09/ 2003 and in the "Musician" No. 30 (February 1981).

Rickenbacker 330-12 1967 (natural)
The photo shown beneath was taken in the backstagearea at the Madison Square Garden in New York/ NY on September 22nd, 1979 (No Nukes).
In an article "The E Street Band's Equipment" by Dave Marsh, "Musician" No. 30, February 1981, it's said that Bruce even owns two of these Rickenbackers.

Rickenbacker 330-12 (black)
It was used during "The River" tour. Thanks to Jean-Luc for the information.

Takamine EF-341C (black)
This is Bruce's famous Takamine acoustic guitar (I suppose Bruce has more than one guitar of this model). He used it at all tours since the 80ies. He uses it for most of the acoustic-parts at his shows.
It also can be seen in the "One Step Up" video.

Takamine EF-350SMCSB (3-color-sunburst)
It is said this is a special model for Bruce, which was made like he wanted this guitar to be. I do not know whether this is right or wrong...
Anyway... Springsteen uses this guitar since "The Rising" tour for a few acoustic parts (e.g.: "Waitin' on a Sunny Day" - check out the musicvideo of this song).

Takamine EF-381C 12-string (black)
Bruce used it for an appearance at an awardshow in 1997 while performing "Dead Man Walkin'".
You could see this guitar during the "Reunion Tour" in 1999 (he used it for the acoustic version of "Born in the U.S.A.") and during "The Rising" tour 2003 since the European leg for the acoustic intro (e.g. "The Promised Land" or "Born in the USA") as well.

Takamine (natural)
I have just found this photo of this guitar. It was taken backstage before a concert. You can find this photo in the program of "The Rising" tour. I do not have any further information on this guitar, yet.

Guitars That Might Be Bruce's:

Danelectro 56-U2 (maltshop creme)
I found a few pics of this guitar of the same appearance (but these are the only ones): Bruce used this guitar during an appearance with John Eddie (I think it was in the Stone Pony (Asbury Park/ NJ)).

Fender Jazzmaster (natural)
Bruce used this guitar in 1974/75. Thanks to John for the photo!

Fender Mustang (natural)
I do not have any information on this guitar yet. I do not know where, when exactly (early 70ies), etc. the photos were taken. Maybe they are from the "Bruce Springsteen Band" time.

Fender Stratocaster (cherryred)
The Stratocaster has a black pickguard and a maple neck.
I have found just two photos of this guitar (both of the same show). Bruce used this guitar during an appearance on 07/ 31/ 2001. But I do not know where the pic was taken.
I have not found any more information on this guitar yet (which model, etc.). If I have found some I will add them to share with you.

Fender Stratocaster (natural)
I do not have any information on this guitar. I found just one photo of it, which was taken at a concert in the mid-70s.

Fender Stratocaster (silver)
This photo was taken in the early 90ies at some concert in a small club.

Fender Stratocaster Acoustic (black)
The photo was taken backstage at some concert of the "Vote for Change" tour in fall 2004. I don't have any more information. Thanks to Jean for the photo!

'50s Fender Telecaster (gold)
Bruce used this guitar at some concerts during the "Human Touch/ Lucky Town" tour in 1992/ 93.

'50s Fender Telecaster (red)
I have found just two pics of this guitar, both of the same show. Bruce used this guitar during an appearance together with Joe Grushecky on 08/ 20/ 1994 in Long Branch (NJ; Marz American Style).

Takamine (brown)
Again: Sorry, I have not found any information (which model, etc.) on this guitar yet. I have just found one photo of this guitar, but I do not know where and why it was taken. It must have been taken around the "Human Rights Now!" time, because it shows Bruce and Sting.

Guitars on which I'll add some information in the next time: