RIP Dave Mason

@drmuso 

So did Winwood play a Firebird on John Barleycorn and Low Spark??? 

@pollockg 

Yes. Sad but true... and inevitable. 

@stuartk

I'd have to listen again to John Barleycorn--there's not a lot of electric guitar on the album, but I think it's the Firebird on both of those albums.  The Firebird pickups have a kind of harsh tone that's between a Gibson humbucker and a Strat pickup.  You can also hear it on "Had to Cry Today" on Blind Faith.

Winwood did play a Strat on "Dear Mr. Fantasy," and there are Strat tones on those earlier Traffic albums, and there's the fairly well-known video of SW playing a white Strat through a Marshall half-stack for a Spencer Davis Group video of "Keep on Running."  I especially like the Strat playing on "Heaven Is In Your Mind," which I think was Winwood.  I especially like the guitar on "Heaven Is In Your Mind." 

"Alone Together" was a brilliant album, and one of the earliest rock albums that came in colored vinyl; I don't remember the exact colors, but it was a swirly kind of design."

@larsman 

I played my 1970 copy last night. Shades of mauve. Looks like a squished bowling ball with splashes of black/white. Fantastic album.

"Dave Mason played an older two-pickup Firebird with a Bigsby vibrato bar, and that's what it sounds like he played on this track and throughout his Alone Together album.

@drmuso 

I like to guess what guitar/amp is used on iconic albums. Usually, I'm wrong! Most of the search responses appear to concur. The mini humbucker did have a unique sound.

My favorite Firebird player is early/mid career Johnny Winter. Very different setup unique to Johnny.

Winwood's guitar playing/phrasing definitely has "personal signature" vibe we players strive to achieve. 

Saw him in 1975 at an all-day summer concert with Yes, Peter Frampton, and Ace. My specific memory of all the details is a bit foggy but I believe his set included, All Along the Watchtower, Only You Know and I Know, Feelin' Alright?, and more. I know it was a great day! RIP

His “certified live” is my favorite. Reportedly, no overdubs in the studio after the concert- everything is “certified” as being recorded live