Brian Robertson Gear Guide
Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian “Robbo” Robertson’s Les Paul Deluxe, Marshall stack, Leslie effects and twin-guitar era equipment.
A quick reference to guitars, amplification, effects and song/era associations. Equipment changes between sessions and tours; specific attributions are noted cautiously.
Guitars
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe | His long-associated sunburst Les Paul Deluxe, later modified and refretted. | Thin Lizzy |
| Gibson Les Paul Standard | Les Paul family guitars suited to the band’s thick lead tone. | Selected use |
| Gibson Les Paul with PAF pickups | His main guitar has been described as receiving vintage-style humbuckers from his technician. | Later setup |
| Gibson Les Paul with Bigsby | A Bigsby-equipped Les Paul is associated with the Jailbreak-era visual and sound palette. | Jailbreak era |
| Gibson SG | An alternate Gibson solid-body for selected use. | Selected use |
| Acoustic guitars | Used for writing and quieter studio passages. | Studio |
Amplifiers
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| Marshall 100-watt Super Lead | Non-master-volume heads drove the loud Thin Lizzy stage sound. | 1970s |
| Marshall 4x12 cabinets | Loaded with Celestion speakers, including Greenbacks in period descriptions. | Thin Lizzy |
| Marshall stacks | High-volume foundation for the twin-lead harmonies. | Live |
| Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier | A later-era amplifier associated with his equipment, distinct from the classic Lizzy rig. | Later career |
| Soundman amplification | Later stage setup references include Soundman amps. | Later career |
Effects and signal chain
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| Leslie rotating speaker | Rotary speaker effect adds movement to selected guitar parts. | Studio / live |
| Tape echo | Echo and slapback-style space in selected recordings. | Selected use |
| Wah pedal | Expressive filter for lead passages. | Selected use |
| Overdrive / amp breakup | The Marshall’s loud output supplies much of the sustain and grit. | 1970s |
| Reverb | Studio and amplifier ambience varies by track. | Recording |
| Twin-lead harmonies | Paired lines with Scott Gorham are a defining arrangement device, not a pedal effect. | Thin Lizzy |
Song and era references
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| “Still in Love with You” | Expressive Les Paul lead phrasing over a sustained band arrangement. | Nightlife |
| “The Boys Are Back in Town” | Twin-guitar parts and harmonized leads are central to the recording. | Jailbreak |
| “Jailbreak” | Marshall-driven riff and lead guitar sound from the classic lineup. | 1976 |
| “Emerald” | Fast twin-guitar lines and harmonized runs. | Jailbreak |
| “Don’t Believe a Word” | Contrasting guitar parts support the song’s shifting dynamics. | Johnny the Fox |
| 1974–78 Thin Lizzy tours | Les Paul and Marshall equipment in the band’s classic twin-guitar period. | Live |