Jerry Cantrell’s Emotional Rollercoaster: The Tale of His Missing ‘Blue Dress’ Guitar
In a heartfelt revelation, Jerry Cantrell shared the immense relief he experienced after the temporary loss of his cherished ‘Blue Dress’ G&L Rampage in April 2024. Fortunately, the guitar was eventually found safe and sound, having simply been misplaced.
During the search for the ‘Blue Dress,’ G&L was prepared to craft a replica for Cantrell, recalling their previous collaboration on a signature model inspired by the Rampage. The urgency of the situation was palpable, as Cantrell even offered a reward for its safe return. However, just a day later, the Rampage was recovered, leading a relieved Cantrell to express gratitude for the support he received, clarifying that the guitar had not been stolen but merely misplaced.
Reflecting on past Losses
In an interview with Guitar World, Cantrell candidly discussed his feelings about “crying wolf” during the search, drawing from a painful experience from his past. In 2002, while working on the album Degradation Trip, his prized 1992 goldtop Ernie Ball Music Man EVH—an invaluable gift from the legendary Eddie Van Halen—was stolen. It took nearly two decades for him to recover that guitar.
“The reason I reacted so strongly was due to the loss of a guitar that Eddie Van Halen gifted me, which went missing for 18 years,” Cantrell explained. “That personal guitar vanished from Henson Studios during the recording of Degradation Trip. I was lucky enough to get it back eventually.”
“That’s why I was so speedy to reach out for help when ‘Blue Dress’ went missing. I’m genuinely relieved to say I was mistaken and that it was just misplaced,” he added.
The Significance of the ‘Blue Dress’
Cantrell’s ‘Blue Dress’ G&L Rampage, serial #: G016467, holds a important place in the history of grunge music. It has been featured on every Alice in Chains album and is integral to Cantrell’s musical journey.Before its brief disappearance, the guitar was on display at Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP).
“Many of my fellow musicians have faced the heartbreak of losing vital guitars, and sadly, most never see them again,” cantrell remarked.
“I purchased that guitar in Dallas back in 1985 when I was just 19, working at Arnold & Morgan Music Company. I acquired ‘No war’ shortly after. Both guitars have been with me throughout my journey, and they feel like extensions of myself,” he reminisced.
Cantrell was pleasantly surprised by the outpouring of support during the search for his Rampage, especially knowing that many of his peers have not been as fortunate in recovering their lost instruments.
“So many of my friends have had significant guitars stolen or lost, and it’s rare for them to be returned. Thankfully, this one was just misplaced for a couple of days. I’m thrilled to be able to record with it again. It’s currently on tour with me, and I’m playing it as we speak,” he shared.
The Challenge of Recovering Stolen Instruments
Retrieving a stolen guitar is frequently enough a daunting task. The initial step is locating the instrument, which can be a lengthy process even with a dedicated fanbase on the lookout. Cantrell’s experience with his Van Halen guitar serves as a testament to this challenge. It was only after some dedicated Alice in Chains fans took on detective roles that the guitar was recovered.
“A couple of AIC fans and collectors managed to track it down and attempted to set up a sting operation on the individual trying to sell it,” Cantrell recounted in a previous interview with Guitar World in 2021. “The first collector, from Florida, lost contact with the seller, but another collector from San Diego stepped in. It took about two weeks for me to finally get that guitar back after 19 long years!”
For the full interview with Jerry Cantrell, be sure to check out Guitar World issue 588 (March 2025) available at Magazines Direct.
