This is our list of the top 8 guitar amps and the songs that made them famous:
Marshall Super Lead #1959
Song: Running With The Devil
Artist: Eddie Van Halen
With the release of Van Halen I in 1978, they changed the world of rock forever. Edward Van Halen hit the scene with a new guitar sound that was so fast and furious, no one had ever heard anything like it before. Eddie was a do-it-yourself kind of guy, always tweaking around with modded guitar pickups, different fx pedals on the floor and different ways to drive his Marshall amplifier into saturated overdrive.
Dumble Overdrive Special
Song: Josie
Artist: Larry Carlton (Steely Dan)
During the 1970’s and 80’s Mr. 335 laid down over 500 tracks a year as a session player and on his own records. He is definitely one of LA’s guitar royalty. Armed with his trusty ’68 Gibson ES-335 and two Dumble Overdrive Special amps, his monster jazz-fusion guitar line is unmistakable and can be heard all over popular music, giving this amp a well-deserved spot on the top 8 guitar amps list.
Supro Thunderbolt
Song: Communication Breakdown
Artist: Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
There has been a lot of speculation over the years regarding the amps that Jimmy Page used in the studio during the groundbreaking debut release Led Zeppelin. Jimmy will neither confirm nor deny which amp(s) were used in the studio. There are also no known photos in the archives to corroborate my story. But based on the tones heard on the record, it is entirely possible that the Supro Thunderbolt was used.
VOX AC30
Song: Bad
Artist: The Edge (U2)
The Edge is one of my all-time favourite guitarists. He created a signature sound early on in his career with a Fender Stratocaster, Electro Harmonix Memory Man delay pedal and a VOX AC30 on albums such as WAR and The Unforgettable Fire. This winning combination has served him well from the early days all the way through recent records and live work.
Fender Tweed Deluxe
Song: Like A Hurricane
Artist: Neil Young
Neil Young is the godfather of grunge. Bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana pay tribute to Neil’s wild, unleashed crunchy chords and ruckus feedback swirls in many of their songs. Neil sports his worn black beauty Les Paul, feeding his 1959 Tweed Deluxe on many of his classic tunes live and in the studio.
Fender Deluxe Reverb
Song: Sweet Dreams
Artist: Roy Buchanan
Roy Buchanan and his trusty, well-weathered 50’s telecaster never abused a finer vintage amp than the Fender Deluxe Reverb. He was known for cranking his Fender Deluxe Reverb full blast and facing it toward the back of the stage to cut the stage volume. Roy gave his fans one screaming note after another and some of the sweetest tear-jerking blues you’ve ever heard.
Marshall JTM 45 Combo
Song: Hideaway
Artist: Eric Clapton (John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers)
In the mid 60’s – after Eric Clapton left the Yardbirds – he joined with the John Mayall Bluesbreakers. Within one year he earned a huge reputation and the nickname “Slowhand”. The Bluesbreakers recorded the Beano album in April 1966 and Clapton used a Marshall Series 2 1962 JTM 45 combo with KT 66 tubes.
Fender Bassman
Song: Rock This Town
Artist: Brian Setzer
Brian Setzer is the king of cool when it comes to rockabilly guitar style. He brought 50’s style blues/jazz guitar back in a time when AOR rock and new wave ruled the airwaves. One of the secret weapons in his tone is a Roland RE-201 Space Echo between his Gretsch guitar and two blonde Fender Bassman amps.
I hope this list of top 8 guitar amps has widen your sonic scope. Please feel free to mention in the comments section which one tickles your pickle or, one you feel deserves a mention.
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