Scott Gorham Gear Guide
Thin Lizzy guitarist Scott Gorham’s Les Pauls, Marshall amplification and twin-guitar sound.
A period-by-period quick reference to guitars, amplification, effects and songs. Specific gear may vary by recording, tour and year.
Guitars
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| Gibson Les Paul Standard | Main instrument for the classic Thin Lizzy twin-guitar period. | 1970s |
| Japanese Les Paul copy | Unbranded copy used at his audition before acquiring Gibson instruments. | 1974 |
| Gibson Les Paul Axcess | Lighter, thinner Les Paul used on the 2011 tour. | Later touring |
| Fender Stratocaster | Used for a period before returning to Les Pauls. | 1980s–2000s |
| Mini-humbucker Les Pauls | Gorham’s Les Paul variants contribute a cutting upper-midrange. | Selected years |
| Backup Les Pauls | Touring instruments prepared for alternate songs and reliability. | Live |
Amplifiers
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| Marshall 100-watt head | Classic high-volume amp platform in Thin Lizzy years. | 1970s |
| Modified 1970s Marshall heads | Later touring amps retained the Marshall stack sound. | Later touring |
| Marshall cabinets | High-output speaker cabinets for arena volume. | Live |
| Fender Showman cabinet with Gauss speakers | Used with a Marshall top for a piercing sound during an early gear period. | Mid-1970s |
| Amp overdrive | Cranked amplifier provides saturation and sustain. | Classic tone |
Effects and signal chain
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| Flanger | A moving stereo/phase-like sweep is associated with doubled Lizzy guitar textures. | Selected recordings |
| Phaser | Alternative modulation color in doubled arrangements. | Selected recordings |
| Double-tracked guitar parts | Two takes create the synchronized attack and width. | Studio |
| Twin Les Paul harmonies | Matching humbucker guitars help blend the harmony leads. | Thin Lizzy signature |
| Minimal effects approach | Guitar and amp drive carry much of the signature sound. | Classic rig |
Song and era references
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| The Boys Are Back in Town | Twin Les Paul harmonies and synchronized lead phrasing. | Jailbreak |
| Emerald | Interlocking guitar arrangement and hard-panned layers. | Jailbreak |
| Waiting for an Alibi | Melodic dual-guitar lines and Marshall drive. | Black Rose |
| Bad Reputation | Gorham’s Les Paul parts anchor much of the guitar recording. | Bad Reputation |
| Rosalie (live) | Twin-lead guitar interplay expands the live arrangement. | Live and Dangerous |