Phil Collen Gear Guide
Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen’s Jackson PC1 signature guitars, sustainer system, studio processing and classic arena-rock tone.
A period-by-period quick reference to guitars, amplification, effects and songs. Gear can vary by recording, tour and year.
Guitars
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson PC1 | Signature solidbody with arched top, DiMarzio pickups, Floyd Rose tremolo and sustainer driver. | 1989 onward |
| Jackson PC Supreme | Premium signature variant with figured top and custom appointments. | Later career |
| “London 57” Jackson PC1 | Special PC1 made for Collen’s 50th birthday and used on tour. | 2010s onward |
| Jackson PC1 with sustainer | Sustainer driver allows held notes and feedback-like lines without relying on stage volume. | Selected models |
| Gibson Les Paul | Used on studio recordings and as an alternate solidbody voice. | Selected sessions |
| Acoustic guitars | Acoustic instruments appear on ballads and layered studio arrangements. | Studio/live |
Amplifiers
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| Marshall JCM800 | Modified Marshall heads associated with the Hysteria-era high-gain sound. | 1980s |
| Marshall 4x12 cabinets | Stage and studio cabinets provide punch and sustain. | Classic rig |
| Digital amp processing | Later albums use Guitar Rig software and in-the-box processing. | 2010s onward |
| Direct recording chain | Studio production combines guitar processing and layered tracks rather than one fixed live amp. | Recording |
Effects and signal chain
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| Floyd Rose tremolo | Stable vibrato system for dives and expressive pitch movement. | PC1 |
| Sustainer driver | Creates sustained notes and harmonic feedback at controlled volume. | PC1 |
| Guitar volume control | Collen has emphasized using the guitar volume to clean up gain dynamically. | Core technique |
| Guitar Rig software | Used in later studio work for amp and effects processing. | 2010s |
| Delay and reverb | Studio ambience and repeats are shaped to fit layered arrangements. | Song dependent |
| Modulation and chorus | Adds width and motion to selected parts. | Recording dependent |
| Minimal pedal reliance | Collen has described himself as not being especially pedal-focused. | General approach |
Song and era references
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| Photograph | Layered guitars and melodic lead lines built for the Hysteria-era studio sound. | Pyromania |
| Animal | Sustained harmonized lead phrases and high-energy rhythm parts. | Hysteria |
| Pour Some Sugar on Me | Stacked guitars and precise studio processing. | Hysteria |
| Rocket | Layered guitar tracks and effects-rich transitions. | Hysteria |
| Let’s Get Rocked | Later arena-rock tone with signature Jackson guitars. | Adrenalize |