Vivian Campbell Gear Guide
Def Leppard and Dio guitarist Vivian Campbell’s Les Pauls, signature model, wah and changing amplifier rigs.
A period-by-period quick reference to guitars, amplification, effects and songs. Specific equipment varies by recording, tour and year.
Guitars
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| Gibson Les Paul Custom “Una” | Silverburst Custom featured in Campbell’s touring collection. | Def Leppard touring |
| Gibson Les Paul reissues | Campbell has described Les Pauls as a central instrument throughout his career. | Dio / Def Leppard |
| Vivian Campbell Les Paul Custom | Gibson Custom Shop signature model developed around his preferred features. | 2018 onward |
| Gibson Les Paul Goldtop | Used for a different P-90-style voice in selected setups. | Touring |
| Gibson 335 / 12-string / Strat | Studio alternatives for overdubs and contrasting arrangements. | Recording |
Amplifiers
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| Mojave Scorpion | Amplifier used in Campbell’s Thin Lizzy touring rig. | Thin Lizzy period |
| ENGL Ritchie Blackmore signature head | Used with Last in Line for focused high-gain tones. | Last in Line |
| Def Leppard touring amp system | Multi-amp and production-controlled setup designed for consistent stadium sound. | Def Leppard |
| Guitar-to-amp cable | Campbell has used a cable in some projects to avoid extra compression from wireless systems. | Selected rigs |
Effects
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| Dunlop Hendrix wah | Campbell said it was the only pedal between guitar and amp on a specific studio setup. | Selected recording |
| Cry Baby wah | Expression effect in his Thin Lizzy rig. | Thin Lizzy |
| Fulltone Tube Tape Echo | Tape-style delay used in the Thin Lizzy stage chain. | Thin Lizzy |
| Way Huge Angry Troll | Boost for extra level and drive. | Thin Lizzy |
| Minimal direct chain | For some sessions Campbell favors guitar, wah and amplifier without a large pedalboard. | Studio |
Song and era references
| Gear / reference | Details | Era / use |
|---|---|---|
| Holy Diver | Les Paul-driven hard-rock leads and compact phrasing. | Dio |
| Rainbow in the Dark | Les Paul and amp-based lead tone. | Dio |
| Photograph | Les Paul foundation within Def Leppard’s layered production. | Pyromania |
| Rock of Ages | Rhythm and lead parts built for layered arena production. | Pyromania |
| Thin Lizzy live set | Les Pauls with wah, tape echo and boost in Campbell’s touring rig. | 2010s |