The following is a list of Greene’s highest-quality documented guitar sounds, with brief comments:*
Musician's Institute Clinic, June, 1993 - probably his brightest, most ringing tone, might affect how he plays (positively)
Rare Lesson videos, 1996 - very clear, articulate sound, using a big hollowbody
Messin’ Around at Home II, 1998 - “Tea for Two”, low recording quality, but Greene gets a huge, piano-like sound
Private Party, 2004 - “Just a Little Loving”, great archtop sound
Duets with Emily Remler, undated (probably 1980’s) - very even and slightly dark sound, a la Pat Martino .
*This does not necessarily mean the recording quality is good, but Greene’s tone still comes through as noteworthy.
Also of interest:
“Improvisation #8 - Distortion Rock Lead”, Solo Guitar Improvisations 2001, August 24, 2001 - a rare chance to hear Greene playing with a heavily distorted rock tone
Messin’ Around at Home I, Part 1, 1997 - a rare chance to hear Greene playing completely acoustic
Solo Guitar, 1977 - very clear sound, recorded direct so missing amp characteristics, no reverb
Notes:
Toru Nitton is a noted luthier that worked on Ted Greene’s guitars.
According to Barbara Franklin, Ted’s first guitar, bought by his father, was a Gibson.
(Greene played Fender guitars for most of his life and occasionally used Guild hollowbodies during the latter part of his career. )
While Greene often used a reverb effect, his use of other effects is very limited and includes:
distortion, delay, reverse sound, various points on The American Metaphysical Circus
distortion and delay, various tracks on Solo Guitar Improvisations 2001
chorus on “Danny Boy” from Solo Guitar
After his passing various things happened to Greene's collection of guitars. Some of Greene's guitars were sold, some people that Greene had loaned guitars to were allowed to keep them and some guitars were kept in the Greene family.