Paul Gilbert Gear Guide
Paul Gilbert’s Ibanez signature guitars, Marshall and Fender amps, fuzz, overdrive, modulation and stereo rigs.
A period-by-period quick reference to guitars, amplification, effects and recording equipment. Specific gear varies by song, session and tour.
Guitars
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| Ibanez PGM signature series | Paul Gilbert models with distinctive painted fretboard graphics and fast necks. | Mr. Big / solo |
| Ibanez PGM300 | Early signature guitar associated with his high-speed alternate picking years. | 1990s |
| Ibanez Fireman | Asymmetric body shape developed with Gilbert for later solo work. | 2000s onward |
| Ibanez RG550 | Early superstrat used in Racer X and instructional performances. | Early career |
| Ibanez FRM “Fireman” models | Multiple pickup and finish configurations for studio and stage. | Signature family |
| Gibson Les Paul | Humbucker guitar for thicker recording colors. | Selected sessions |
| Matsumoku / vintage guitars | Various instruments appear in later blues, jazz and instrumental projects. | Studio |
Amplifiers
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| Marshall amps | High-gain rock sound in Racer X and Mr. Big eras. | Early career |
| Marshall Mini Silver Jubilee | Compact tube combo used in later rigs. | Selected tours |
| Fender Tone Master Twin | Recent amp platform used as a pedal-friendly clean base. | Recent |
| Fender Vibrolux Reverb | Used for studio recording, including a dry, direct-to-speaker setup. | Selected albums |
| Victoria Club Deluxe | Additional amp used for solo level and tonal contrast. | Studio |
| Stereo amp pairs | Two-amp setups create width for selected recordings. | Vibrato era |
Effects
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| Majik Box Fuzz Universe | Signature fuzz/overdrive voice and a recurring guitar tone reference. | Solo era |
| Ibanez Tube Screamer | Mid-focused overdrive used to drive amps and sustain leads. | Selected rigs |
| Xotic AC Booster | Transparent boost/overdrive in reported pedalboards. | Selected use |
| Way Huge Green Rhino | Overdrive option for thicker lead sounds. | Selected use |
| Fulltone Deja Vibe | Rotary/Uni-Vibe modulation on selected recordings. | Behold Electric Guitar |
| TC Electronic MojoMojo | Overdrive used in studio chain descriptions. | Selected albums |
| MXR Phase 90 | Classic phasing effect in selected rigs. | Touring |
| Cry Baby 535Q wah | Adjustable wah sweep for expressive passages. | Selected use |
| A/DA flanger / Airplane Flanger | Flanger colors and signature effect explorations. | Selected tracks |
| Hughes & Kettner Rotosphere | Rotary speaker emulation for Leslie-like movement. | Selected use |
Song and era references
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Difficulties | Ibanez PGM and Marshall high-gain sound. | Racer X |
| Green-Tinted Sixties Mind | Clean rhythmic parts and overdubbed lead color. | Mr. Big |
| To Be with You | Acoustic and clean electric arrangement contrasts. | Mr. Big |
| Fuzz Universe | Signature fuzz and expressive lead phrasing. | 2010 |
| Behold Electric Guitar | Fender amp platform, overdrives and room-miked recording. | 2019 |
| WROC | Recent Fender amp and pedal-based rig. | 2024 |