Suede guitarist Richard Oakes’ Squier beginnings, later Fender guitars, Gibson models and Vox AC30 touring sound.
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
Squier Telecaster
The guitar Oakes brought to his Suede audition as a teenager.
1994
Gibson guitars
Early Suede years included Gibson instruments before his move toward Fender models.
Early Suede
Fender guitars
By Coming Up, Oakes had switched to Fender guitars that suited his natural playing style.
1996 onward
Telecaster-style guitar
A direct, bright option for the sharply defined Suede rhythm parts.
Selected live/studio
Backup stage guitars
Touring guitars were assembled to approximate the band’s established sound quickly.
Early touring
Amplifiers
Gear / reference
Details
Era / use
Vox AC30
Oakes’ long-term touring amplifier, associated with the band’s full, chime-rich sound.
Career-wide
Vox AC30 backup
A second amp supports reliability on tour and consistent stage tone.
Live setup
Suede touring backline
The first touring rig was built to approximate the sound of the previous guitarist’s setup.
1994
Valve amp overdrive
Natural amp response supports the band’s brighter alternative-rock tones.
Live/studio
Effects and signal chain
Gear / reference
Details
Era / use
Gain and overdrive
Drive choices support the layered rock sound; exact pedals vary by tour.
Song/tour dependent
Delay
Repeats add depth to sustained lead phrases and studio layers.
Selected parts
Reverb
Ambience varies by venue and recording.
Song dependent
Guitar layering
Parts are arranged to combine bright rhythm with melodic hooks.
Studio
Pickup selection
Fender guitars provide tonal options across the band’s changing arrangements.
Coming Up onward
Song and era references
Gear / reference
Details
Era / use
Together
Oakes’ first recorded Suede single after joining the band.
1994
The Wild Ones
Layered guitar arrangement on his first full album with the band.
Dog Man Star
Trash
Fender-era guitar sound and concise pop-rock parts.
Coming Up
Beautiful Ones
Bright, direct guitar layers from the Coming Up period.
Coming Up
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