Richard Thompson Gear Guide
Richard Thompson’s electric and acoustic guitars, signature Lowden, pickups, amplifiers and effects across Fairport Convention, solo and later work.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fender Stratocaster | A central electric voice in his early and later work. | Fairport / solo |
| Fender Telecaster | Used for a direct, cutting electric tone in selected sessions and performances. | Selected use |
| Gibson Les Paul | A sustaining electric option for heavier or thicker parts. | Selected use |
| Lowden Richard Thompson Signature | Signature acoustic model used with a Sunrise pickup system. | Recent touring / studio |
| Lowden acoustics | Prominent acoustic instruments in solo work and live performances. | 1990s onward |
| Custom 12-string Telecaster | A custom electric 12-string associated with his varied live palette. | Selected use |
| Martin acoustic guitars | Acoustic instruments used across career and sessions. | Selected use |
Amplifiers
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| Fender combos | Clean platform for detailed fingerstyle electric playing. | Various eras |
| Vox AC30 | A chime-rich amp option noted in accounts of his gear. | Selected use |
| Divided by 13 | Blend of Fender- and Vox-like qualities in later amplifier setup. | Recent rig |
| Small combo amps | Lower-wattage amps can provide touch-sensitive response. | Studio/live |
Effects and signal chain
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise pickup system | Magnetic soundhole pickup used with Lowden acoustic guitars. | Acoustic rig |
| Volume pedal | Shapes swells and levels while switching between instruments. | Live |
| Delay | Used selectively for space rather than as a constant defining effect. | Selected songs |
| Reverb | Room and amp ambience support acoustic and electric textures. | Studio/live |
| Overdrive | Adds controlled sustain to electric leads. | Selected use |
| Pickup blending / acoustic preamp | Helps translate the acoustic guitar’s dynamic detail on stage. | Live |
Song and era references
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| Fairport Convention period | Stratocaster-based electric lines and folk-rock ensemble textures. | Late 1960s |
| “The Calvary Cross” | Long-form electric lead playing with sustained, expressive phrases. | 1970s |
| “1952 Vincent Black Lightning” | Acoustic guitar and vocal storytelling at the center. | 1980s |
| “Beeswing” | Acoustic accompaniment and dynamic fingerstyle detail. | 1990s |
| Ship to Shore sessions | Lowden signature acoustic and Sunrise pickup are documented in recent gear coverage. | 2024 |