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Independent research by truerecs. Not affiliated with, endorsed or verified by Toto. Every item links to its public source.
47 items · Last checked

What gear does Toto use?

Steve Lukather was seen with his Music Man Luke III through Bogner Helios amps. David Paich has said he wrote Africa on a Yamaha CS-80, with a Yamaha GS1 for the kalimba sound, Steve Porcaro used a Roland MC-4 on Rosanna, and Jeff Porcaro played Pearl drums with Paiste cymbals.

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AllTop 5Steve Lukather: guitarDavid Paich: keyboards and vocalsSteve Porcaro: synthesizersJeff Porcaro: drums (former)Joseph Williams: vocalsSimon Phillips: drums (former)Shannon Forrest: drums
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What gear Toto uses: a sourced gear guide

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

Steve Lukather: guitar

9 items

David Paich: keyboards and vocals

13 items

Steve Porcaro: synthesizers

8 items

Jeff Porcaro: drums (former)

9 items

Joseph Williams: vocals

5 items

Simon Phillips: drums (former)

2 items

Shannon Forrest: drums

1 item
Questions

About Toto's gear.

What synth was used on Africa?

David Paich has said he started writing Africa on a Yamaha CS-80, which you hear in the intro. The kalimba sound came from a Yamaha GS1, a prototype for the DX7, and the vocals were recorded on a Neumann U47.

What synths did Steve Porcaro play?

Steve Porcaro has said the falling sequence in the Rosanna solo was a Roland MC-4 sequence, with a Minimoog in the solo. Yamaha says he often relied on the CS-80 and was an early DX7 adopter, and he has said he loved the Yamaha CP5 for Rhodes sounds on tour.

What drums did Jeff Porcaro play?

Bonedo says he endorsed Pearl from 1982 with a DR-1 rack he helped develop, after playing Ludwig on the first Toto album and a Vistalite on the 1980 tour. His snares included Ludwig Black Beauty and Supraphonic and a Slingerland Radio King, with Paiste 602 hi-hats and ride.

What guitar does Steve Lukather play in Toto?

His Ernie Ball Music Man Luke III signature, through a pair of Bogner Helios amps, with a board including his Rodenberg GAS 789 overdrive, a Gurus Echosex delay and a Strymon Lex. He has called himself an SM57 kind of guy for miking amps.

What drums did Simon Phillips play in Toto?

Simon Phillips has said he tried a Tama Mirage acrylic kit on a short Toto tour and was astounded at how great it sounded live, then had clear acrylic Octobans made to complete the kit.

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About this guide · Last checked

Toto are the Los Angeles band of session players behind Africa, Rosanna and Hold the Line. This guide covers the whole band's documented gear: Steve Lukather's Music Man Luke III and Bogner rig, David Paich's Yamaha CS-80 and GS1, Steve Porcaro's synths, Jeff Porcaro's Pearl kit and Paiste cymbals, Simon Phillips' Tama Mirage, Shannon Forrest's sticks and Joseph Williams' vocal mics.

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

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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. Toto isn't paid for them. Report an error or ask for removal. Full disclosure.