Gibson Les Paul Standard
“Number One”
Main guitar for the thick, sustaining Zeppelin lead tone.
Sources
SourcesWikipedia
Gear & Tone AtlasVerified
Jimmy Page
Heston, United Kingdomrock, hard rock, folk
Defined hard rock riffing and studio production with Led Zeppelin.
Guitarist Profile
Artistry & Style
Signature Techniques
riff writingopen tuningslayered overdubsbowed guitar
Key Takeaway for Players
“Arrangement and tone choices can carry as much weight as the notes themselves.”
Origin & Era
Heston, United Kingdom
51.48° N, -0.38° W
Gear & Tone Atlas
VerifiedEquipment & Sound
The instruments, pedals, amplifiers, and signal chain that shape the sound of Jimmy Page.
What defines the sound
Signature Tone
Page's signature is a Les Paul through Marshall stacks pushed into singing sustain, recorded with distant microphones for a huge ambient sound. A Telecaster handled the first album and the Stairway to Heaven solo. He shaped colour with a Sola Sound Tone Bender, an Echoplex tape delay and a Vox wah, and used a violin bow for otherworldly textures.
From guitar to amp
Signal Chain
- guitarConfirmed
Gibson Les Paul Standard
Main guitar for the thick, sustaining Zeppelin lead tone.
- fuzzConfirmed
Sola Sound
Fuzz used for thick lead and studio textures.
- delayConfirmed
Maestro Echoplex EP-3
Tape delay for slap-back and ambient repeats.
- ampConfirmed
Marshall Super Lead 1959
Cranked stack for the band's wall of overdriven sound.
Instruments
Jimmy Page Guitars
Confirmed
Fender Telecaster
Used on the first album and the Stairway to Heaven solo.
Sources
SourcesWikipedia
On the board
Pedals & Effects
Sola Sound
Fuzz used for thick lead and studio textures.
fuzz
Sources
SourcesEquipboard
Maestro Echoplex EP-3
Tape delay for slap-back and ambient repeats.
delay
Sources
SourcesWikipedia
Amplification
Jimmy Page Amps
Marshall Super Lead 1959
Cranked stack for the band's wall of overdriven sound.
Across the years
Eras
Gibson Les Paul Standard
“Number One”
Main guitar for the thick, sustaining Zeppelin lead tone.
Sources
SourcesWikipedia
Fender Telecaster
Used on the first album and the Stairway to Heaven solo.
Sources
SourcesWikipedia
Marshall Super Lead 1959
Cranked stack for the band's wall of overdriven sound.
Sola Sound
Fuzz used for thick lead and studio textures.
fuzz
Sources
SourcesEquipboard
Maestro Echoplex EP-3
Tape delay for slap-back and ambient repeats.
delay
Sources
SourcesWikipedia
For players
How to Sound Like Jimmy Page
Key tone ingredients
- a Les Paul style guitar
- a cranked Marshall or similar
- a vintage-voiced fuzz
- a tape-style delay
Affordable alternatives
- an affordable humbucker guitar
- a plexi-style modeller
- a Tone Bender clone
Suggested effect settings
- fuzz for solos, off for rhythm
- short slap-back delay for space
Amp settings
- high volume for natural sustain
- bright but not harsh treble
Playing technique tips
- mic the amp from a distance for ambience
- use neck pickup for liquid leads
What to avoid
- modern tight high gain
- over-compressing the signal
Verification
Sources
Every gear claim links to a source. Items marked probable or inspired-by are not fully confirmed.
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