truerecs
Explore truerecs
Log inFor artists
Independent research by truerecs. Not affiliated with, endorsed or verified by Pete Townshend.Are you Pete Townshend? Claim this page
p
Independent research by truerecs. Not affiliated with, endorsed or verified by Pete Townshend. Every item links to its public source.
68 items · Last checked

What guitar does Pete Townshend play?

Pete Townshend uses modified Fender Eric Clapton Stratocasters, Fender Vibro-King amps, Gibson J-200 acoustics with Fishman Ellipse pickups and a Pete Cornish board with a T-Rex Replica, Boss OD-1 and Demeter Compulator. He has said the Gibson SG with P-90s gave him the Live at Leeds sound.

Shop the gear
AllTop 5Stage guitarsGuitars over the yearsAcousticsAmpsPedalsStrings and studio
In stores now

Shop Pete Townshend's setup.

Top 5

Where to start with Pete Townshend's gear.

01
02
03
04
05

What guitar gear Pete Townshend uses: a sourced gear guide

Independent research by truerecs: every item links to the public source it comes from.

Stage guitars

9 items

Guitars over the years

21 items

Acoustics

15 items

Amps

10 items

Pedals

5 items

Strings and studio

8 items
Questions

About Pete Townshend's gear.

What guitar does Pete Townshend play?

Onstage he uses modified Fender Eric Clapton Stratocasters with piezo bridges, plus a black Strat for E-flat songs. He has said the Gibson SG with P-90s gave him the Live at Leeds sound, and he played Rickenbackers in the 1960s.

What amp does Pete Townshend use?

Fender Vibro-Kings, with a 2x12 cabinet beside each and a Bandmaster replica by George Alessandro. In the 1960s he has said he played early Marshall stacks, then Sound City, which became Hiwatt.

What pedals does Pete Townshend use?

A Pete Cornish board with three circuits: a T-Rex Replica delay, a Boss OD-1 for sustain and distortion and a Demeter Compulator, plus a Demeter DI box for blending acoustic sounds.

What acoustic guitar does Pete Townshend play?

Gibson J-200s, including a 1990s model with a Fishman Ellipse system and his signature J-200 as a backup. At home he has said he loves a small-body Fylde Ariel and records with an old J-200 with a Tune-o-matic bridge.

What strings does Pete Townshend use?

Premier Guitar listed Ernie Ball strings on electrics and D'Addario EXP 19s on acoustics in 2010. His 2025 J-200s carry D'Addario .012 to .053 and .012 to .056 sets.

Does Pete Townshend have a signature guitar?

Yes. Gibson made a Pete Townshend signature Les Paul, a 50th Anniversary Pete Townshend SG and a signature J-200, and Hiwatt made a CP103 Pete Townshend signature amp head.

PT
Pete Townshend
About this guide · Last checked

Pete Townshend is the guitarist and songwriter of The Who, the windmilling, guitar-smashing writer of My Generation, Tommy and Quadrophenia. This guide covers his stage Strats, Gibsons, Rickenbackers and acoustics, his Vibro-King, Hiwatt and Sound City amps, his Pete Cornish pedalboard and his home studio, from his own Premier Guitar interview and rig rundowns of The Who's tours.

truerecs put this guide together from public videos, interviews and posts. Each item says how we know and links to the source. Pete Townshend didn't write it or choose anything on it. How we source gear guides.

Report an error or ask for removal. We fix or remove within 72 hours. You don't need to sign up.

Are you Pete Townshend?

Claim this page to make it yours: verify with your Instagram, TikTok or YouTube, keep what's right, drop what isn't, and add your own.

Claim this page
truerecs gear guides are independent research from public sources, not made or approved by the artist. Store buttons on this page may be affiliate links: truerecs may earn a commission when you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Pete Townshend isn't paid for them. Report an error or ask for removal. Full disclosure.