Famous Guitarists and Their Gear: A Look at Iconic Rigs

Every guitarist dreams of crafting a signature sound that resonates with listeners and leaves a lasting impression. For many famous guitarists, their unique sound is not just a result of their skill but also the gear they use. In this post, we’ll explore the equipment behind some of the most iconic guitar tones in music history, giving you insights into how these legendary musicians achieved their distinct sounds.

1. Jimi Hendrix: The Stratocaster Maestro

When you think of Jimi Hendrix, you probably picture a Fender Stratocaster on fire—literally. Hendrix’s innovative use of the Stratocaster, combined with his groundbreaking playing style, made him one of the most influential guitarists of all time.

• Main Guitar: Fender Stratocaster

Hendrix favoured the Strat for its bright, expressive tone and its ability to handle his aggressive playing style. He often played a right-handed Strat strung upside down for left-handed playing, which contributed to his unique sound.

• Amplifiers: Marshall Super Lead 100

Hendrix’s use of the Marshall Super Lead 100 amplifier gave his sound the powerful, overdriven tone that became a hallmark of his music. He would often push the amp to its limits, creating rich, saturated distortion.

• Effects: Vox Wah, Fuzz Face, and Uni-Vibe

Hendrix was a pioneer in the use of effects. His extensive use of the Vox Wah pedal added a vocal-like quality to his solos, while the Fuzz Face pedal provided the heavy, gritty distortion heard on tracks like “Purple Haze.” The Uni-Vibe pedal, used on songs like “Machine Gun,” added a swirling, phaser-like effect that became a signature of his psychedelic sound.

2. Eric Clapton: The “Woman Tone” Wizard

Eric Clapton’s smooth, melodic playing has earned him the nickname “Slowhand.” His legendary “woman tone” is a warm, singing lead tone that became iconic during his time with Cream.

• Main Guitar: Gibson Les Paul and Fender Stratocaster (“Blackie”)

Clapton originally used a 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard during his early years, particularly with Cream. Later, he switched to a Fender Stratocaster, famously known as “Blackie,” which became his main guitar for decades.

• Amplifiers: Marshall JTM45 and Fender Twin Reverb

Clapton’s Marshall JTM45 helped him achieve the rich, overdriven tones of the “woman tone.” Later, his switch to the Fender Twin Reverb provided a cleaner, yet still warm and powerful, sound.

• Effects: Wah Pedal and Overdrive

Clapton’s use of a wah pedal, particularly in songs like “White Room,” added expressiveness to his solos. His minimalist approach to effects—relying mostly on his guitar and amp—demonstrated his belief in achieving great tone through technique and touch.

3. Jimmy Page: The Architect of Rock Riffs

As the lead guitarist of Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page crafted some of the most memorable riffs in rock history. His diverse use of gear and innovative recording techniques have left an indelible mark on the world of guitar playing.

• Main Guitar: Gibson Les Paul (“Number One”) and Fender Telecaster

Page’s iconic Les Paul Standard, known as “Number One,” was his main guitar for many of Led Zeppelin’s recordings. Before that, he used a Fender Telecaster, which can be heard on the early Zeppelin albums, including the solo in “Stairway to Heaven.”

• Amplifiers: Marshall Super Lead and Hiwatt Custom 100

The combination of a Marshall Super Lead and a Hiwatt Custom 100 amplifier gave Page the versatility to achieve everything from searing leads to heavy, rhythmic crunch.

• Effects: Echoplex, Tone Bender, and Violin Bow

Page’s use of the Echoplex delay unit added depth and atmosphere to his solos, while the Tone Bender fuzz pedal helped create the heavy, distorted sound that defined many Zeppelin tracks. Page also famously used a violin bow on his guitar, as heard in the epic “Dazed and Confused,” creating eerie, otherworldly sounds that became a trademark of his live performances.

4. David Gilmour: The Master of Atmosphere

David Gilmour’s playing with Pink Floyd is characterised by his melodic sensibility and lush, expansive soundscapes. His use of effects and careful attention to tone have made his solos some of the most recognisable in rock history.

• Main Guitar: Fender Stratocaster (“The Black Strat”)

Gilmour’s “Black Strat,” a 1969 Fender Stratocaster, has been his main instrument throughout most of his career. Its versatile tone and smooth playability made it ideal for Gilmour’s expressive style.

• Amplifiers: Hiwatt DR103

Gilmour’s Hiwatt DR103 amplifier provided the clean, powerful tone needed to create his expansive soundscapes. He often paired it with large speaker cabinets for a full, rich sound.

• Effects: Big Muff, Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress, and Binson Echorec

Gilmour’s pedalboard is legendary for its complexity. The Big Muff distortion pedal gave him the sustain and smooth overdrive heard in solos like “Comfortably Numb.” The Electric Mistress flanger added a swirling, chorus-like effect, while the Binson Echorec delay unit was key to achieving the rhythmic delays in “Echoes” and other classic tracks.

5. Eddie Van Halen: The Shredder’s Pioneer

Eddie Van Halen revolutionised rock guitar with his virtuosic playing and inventive use of gear. His “brown sound” and innovative techniques like tapping have inspired countless guitarists.

• Main Guitar: “Frankenstrat”

Van Halen famously built his own guitar, known as the “Frankenstrat,” combining the body of a Fender Stratocaster with the electronics of a Gibson. This hybrid guitar allowed him to achieve the bright attack of a Strat with the thick, powerful sound of a humbucker pickup.

• Amplifiers: Marshall Plexi

His heavily modified Marshall Plexi amplifier was essential to creating his signature “brown sound”—a warm, overdriven tone with plenty of sustain and harmonic richness.

• Effects: MXR Phase 90, Echoplex, and Flanger

The MXR Phase 90 pedal added a subtle, swirling effect to his solos, most notably in “Eruption.” Van Halen also used an Echoplex for delay and a flanger to create the sweeping, jet-like sounds heard in “Unchained.”

Conclusion

Understanding the gear behind these legendary guitarists can offer valuable insights into how they achieved their iconic sounds. While having the right equipment is important, it’s also essential to remember that the magic lies in the combination of gear, technique, and creativity. Whether you’re aiming to replicate the tones of your heroes or develop your own unique sound, experimenting with different guitars, amps, and effects can open up new possibilities for your playing!