English session guitarist Chris Spedding’s Gibson and Fender guitars, classic amplifiers and decades of studio and touring work.
A period-by-period quick reference to guitars, amplification, effects and songs. Equipment can vary between recordings, tours and years.
Guitars
Gear / reference
Details
Era / use
Gibson J-200 (1950s)
Spedding’s main acoustic guitar, including on the album Joyland.
Studio/acoustic
Fender-style electrics
Spedding noted that recording sessions often called for a Fender or Gibson guitar sound.
Session work
Gibson electric guitars
Used when a fuller humbucker voice suited the track.
Selected sessions
Dick Knight Flying V
A Flying V custom-built for Spedding.
Selected live/studio
Session guitars
Spedding’s long career involved adapting instrument choice to the artist and arrangement.
1960s onward
Amplifiers
Gear / reference
Details
Era / use
Fender amplifiers
A familiar clean and edge-of-breakup platform in studio work.
Selected sessions
Vox amplifiers
British chime and natural compression for rock and pop sessions.
Selected sessions
Marshall amplifiers
Higher-gain tones when the arrangement needs more sustain.
Selected work
Amplifier volume control
Spedding has described turning the amp up and working from the guitar’s volume control.
Live technique
Effects and signal chain
Gear / reference
Details
Era / use
Guitar volume control
Shapes gain and dynamics without frequent pedal switching.
Core approach
Overdrive and distortion
Used according to the session rather than as a single fixed rig.
Session dependent
Studio compression
Can even out parts when required by a production.
Session dependent
Acoustic amplification
J-200 provides the acoustic voice for solo and studio material.
Joyland
Song and era references
Gear / reference
Details
Era / use
Motor Bikin’
Spedding’s best-known solo single and guitar showcase.
1975
Get It On
Spedding played guitar on Bryan Ferry’s version with an arrangement-specific studio sound.
1970s sessions
Songs for a Tailor
Spedding contributed guitar to Jack Bruce’s solo album.
1969
Let’s Stick Together
Spedding is credited on guitar on Bryan Ferry’s 1976 album.
1976
Please contact us via email.
Email: masahiro801[at]hotmail.com *Please replace [at] with @.
As the information is gathered online, there may be errors.
We will correct any errors immediately.
We will immediately remove any content that infringes upon anyone's rights.
We will also promptly respond to requests for removal.