Neil Young Gear Guide
Neil Young’s Old Black, vintage Fender amps, Whizzer control, Echoplex and the changing Crazy Horse live rig.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| “Old Black” Gibson Les Paul | His best-known black Les Paul, extensively modified and central to live work. | Crazy Horse / solo |
| Gretsch White Falcon | Hollow-body guitar used for selected songs and performances. | Selected use |
| Martin acoustic guitars | Acoustic songwriting and solo performance instruments. | Throughout career |
| Hank Williams’ Martin D-28 | Acoustic guitar associated with selected live and studio performances. | Selected use |
| Gibson Les Paul variants | Other Les Paul guitars supplement Old Black on stage. | Live |
| Banjos / other acoustics | Additional stringed instruments appear in folk-oriented sets. | Acoustic sets |
Amplifiers
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| 1959 Fender Deluxe | Vintage tweed Deluxe is a crucial source of responsive breakup. | Live / studio |
| Fender Tweed Deluxe | Vintage small amp sound closely associated with his lead tone. | Crazy Horse |
| Fender Tweed Bassman | Additional vintage amp used in some live setups. | Selected touring |
| Magnatone / other vintage amps | Amp choices have shifted across tours and recording periods. | Selected use |
| Whizzer amp control | Remote switching/adjustment device changes settings on the Deluxe during performance. | Live |
Effects and signal chain
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| Echoplex EP-3 | Tape echo used for slapback, repeats and thickening. | Live |
| Whizzer | Mechanical foot control operates amp settings on the vintage Deluxe. | Live |
| Fuzz / distortion | Old Black’s onboard modifications and external effects contribute to its raw lead sound. | By song |
| MXR flanger | Flanging appears in the broader live effects setup. | Selected use |
| Reverb | Amp and venue ambience, often kept relatively direct. | Live |
| Wireless / switching | Tour rigs use practical switching to manage guitar changes and stage routing. | Recent touring |
Song and era references
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| “Cinnamon Girl” | Old Black and ragged, sustained lead tones in the Crazy Horse context. | 1969 |
| “Like a Hurricane” | Extended lead sections, sustain and tape echo in live versions. | 1977 onward |
| “Hey Hey, My My” | Distorted Old Black sound and high-volume amp breakup. | Rust Never Sleeps |
| “Cortez the Killer” | Long sustained lead phrases and open arrangement. | 1975 |
| “Heart of Gold” | Acoustic guitar and harmonica-centered sound. | Harvest |
| Recent live sets | Old Black, Fender Deluxe and Whizzer remain a recognizable live combination. | Recent |