RIP Dave Mason

@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 

It can be very hard to tell exactly what someone's guitar rig was on a specific recording.  Interviews and photographs are the most reliable evidence available.  There are sonic signatures to pickups, but they can be overwhelmed by amplifiers, cabinets and effects pedals, particularly overdrives, and recording techniques.  For instance Jimmy Page was a dedicated Les Paul player, but it's a Fender Telecaster on many of his early LZ recordings.  Go figure.

Mason was a superior guitar player compared to Winwood, but his wasn't a better musician.  Winwood clearly has enough chops to be more than interesting.