After the historic Oasis reunion announcement last week, Noel has been spotted several times in and around his studio. Media speculation is at an all-time high, with some suggesting that this could be a sign the band is ready to record new music.
Rumors gained traction when a few photos of Noel’s guitar tech transporting guitar cases were published by the usual tabloids. For some, this is confirmation that new Oasis music is coming sooner rather than later. But for me, it is not – though I’d love a new record soon.
So, what’s inside those guitar cases? And why is Noel moving guitars in and out of his studio? Keep reading as we try to figure it out…
Last Tuesday, The Sun published an article claiming that Noel was “spotted for the first time since announcing Oasis reunion gigs as he heads into a recording studio“. The piece came with the usual dozen paparazzi photos, presented in that typical tabloid fashion.
In a few of the photos, Noel is casually walking just outside his studio. In others, his guitar tech is seen carrying a guitar case and a small pedalboard out of what appears to be a residential building – possibly where Noel is currently staying.
The case contains an Epiphone USA Casino, one of Noel’s favorite guitars recently. He owns three: one in Royal Tan, extensively used during the Council Skies recording sessions, a Sunburst one acquired in June 2023 in Nashville, and the Cherry Red one he’s recently played live.
It’s likely Noel was keeping one of the Casinos at home with a small pedalboard to noodle around and work on some ideas, and his tech was simply bringing everything back to the studio.
On Thursday, more unusual activity was observed outside Noel’s studio, as reported by The Daily Mail. A photographer with a professional Canon digital camera, along with an aide, was seen unloading lighting and photo equipment from a car.
At the same time, Noel’s tech was spotted entering the studio with two mysterious guitar cases…
The case in his left hand contains the legendary Wine Red Epiphone Matsumoku Riviera. How do I know? You can just make out the serial number written on it!
The other case, featuring a multicolored stenciled oasis logo, appears to be for an acoustic guitar. My guess is that it’s an acoustic from ’94 or ’95 – possibly the Epiphone EJ-200 from the early days (which hasn’t been seen in nearly 30 years!), the Epiphone Frontier (recently featured in the Liverpool exhibition), or one of the Takamine models. The stenciled logo on the case definitely dates it to 1994.
So, what’s Noel up to with these guitars and photo equipment in his studio?
The most reasonable guess is that he was having a photoshoot, likely for a magazine like Guitarist or Guitar Mag, showcasing some of his iconic instruments from the golden years.
It’s worth noting that Noel mentioned on the Matt Morgan podcast that he was closing his studio until next January and planning to go on holiday after August – possibly to the South of France for a family reunion with his younger brother, according to the most recent rumors. After that, he’s heading to LA, before having a knee surgery scheduled as well.
I’m not trying to shatter anyone’s hopes for new music, but let’s stay realistic for now!
There’s still plenty to be excited about.
The Chief's Guitars - Noel Gallagher's guitars: a complete guide - Oasis and NGHFB 
I doubt he still has the EJ200
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I don’t know. It hasn’t been seen since 1995 as far as I recall.
Similarly, other guitars hadn’t been seen in decades but they resurfaced years later.
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I think it was last seen at Maine Road. He used it for Cast No Shadow and The Masterplan.
Maybe he does still have it, if he’d given it away at the time it would have surely changed hands by now…
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in any case, the fact that we are talking about these guitars and that there is a chance that he’s playing them again, makes me feel really good.
Love these guitars!
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