Ace Frehley, Kiss's original lead guitarist, built his sound on Gibson Les Paul guitars and a Gibson-branded 9-46 signature string set. His documented gear, sourced.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Artist rigs
What working guitarists actually play, cited from interviews, rig rundowns, and official press. Endorsed relationships and verified use are labeled on each artist's page.
Showing 22 guitarists tagged Classic rock.
Alex Lifeson's documented guitar rig: Dean Markley Blue Steel .010-.052 strings, confirmed in his own words, plus his Gibson Les Paul Axcess, ES-355, and Hughes & Kettner amps. Sourced from Premier Guitar and Guitar One, updated for Rush's 2026 Fifty Something reunion tour.
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Angus Young uses with AC/DC on his Gibson SG. Ernie Ball Super Slinky (.009–.042). With citations.
Anna Cara, the Newcastle guitarist covering Nita Strauss's touring slot in Alice Cooper's band, plays Ibanez Xiphos guitars and a S.I.T. Strings .010-.052 gauge.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Billy Gibbons uses with ZZ Top on his 1959 Les Paul 'Pearly Gates'. Dunlop Reverend Willy Extra Light (.007–.038). With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Brian May uses with Queen on his hand-built Red Special guitar. Optima Gold .009–.042 + sixpence pick. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges and tunings Chuck Berry used on his Gibson ES-355 / ES-345 / ES-350T archtop electrics. Light-gauge electric strings + standard E tuning + the foundational rock-and-roll lead vocabulary. With citations.
Documented strings David Gilmour uses with Pink Floyd and solo: GHS Boomers signature electric, Ernie Ball Earthwood acoustic. Includes the Black Strat's record 2026 auction sale. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Eric Clapton uses on his Fender Stratocaster (Blackie / Brownie / current sigs) and acoustic Martin. With citations.
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings George Harrison used with The Beatles and across his solo catalog. Gibson catalog flat-tops + open D slide work + Rickenbacker 360/12 12-string electric. With citations.
Ian Gillan has fronted Deep Purple across three stints since 1969: Machine Head, a 1983 run with Black Sabbath, and 2026's SPLAT! The Jesus Christ Superstar story, sourced.
Documented string gauges and tunings Jeff Beck used on his Fender Jeff Beck Signature Stratocaster. Ernie Ball Slinky base in standard E, with thumb-and-fingers right-hand approach. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Jimi Hendrix used with The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Band of Gypsys on his Fender Stratocasters. Fender Rock 'n' Roll .010-.038 + Eb standard tuning. With citations.
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Jimmy Page used with Led Zeppelin on his Les Pauls and Telecasters. Ernie Ball Super Slinky (.009–.042). With citations.
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Joe Bonamassa uses on his Les Pauls and vintage Strats. Ernie Ball Burly Slinky (.011–.052). With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, tunings, and the famous five-string open-G setup Keith Richards uses with The Rolling Stones. Ernie Ball Regular Slinky base, custom configurations on his Telecaster Micawber. With citations.
The unusually heavy Gibson string gauge Malcolm Young played on 'The Beast,' his 1963 Gretsch Jet Firebird, plus the Marshall amp and stripped-down signal chain behind AC/DC's rhythm tone. Ground Guitar, Guitar Player, and Guitar World sourced.
Documented strings, guitars, and amps Noel Gallagher plays on Oasis's Live '25 reunion tour. D'Addario NYXL (.010-.046), a 1960 Gibson ES-355, and the new Gibson signature Les Paul, all cited.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Pete Townshend uses with The Who. Light-to-medium gauge strings + Schecter signature Telecaster + various Gibson and Fender catalog instruments. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Documented string gauges and gear Ritchie Blackmore plays on his scalloped Fender Stratocaster across Deep Purple, Rainbow, and Blackmore's Night. Picato RB77 Artist Signature (.010–.048) and Fender USA Bullets (.009–.042). With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
Ronnie Wood's documented rig: the 1955 Stratocaster, the Zemaitis 'Stay With Me' guitar, the black B-Bender Telecaster, and the Ernie Ball strings behind his Rolling Stones tone.
Documented string gauges, brands, and tunings Saul 'Slash' Hudson uses with Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver, and his solo band. With citations.
Endorsed · paid relationship documented
