Chris Stapleton's Gear: A Deep Dive

The music world knows Chris Stapleton for his soulful voice and gripping lyrics. But for guitar enthusiasts, it's all about the gear he uses to create those magical tunes. In this blog post, we'll delve deep into the equipment Chris Stapleton trusts to deliver his iconic sound.

Summary Table

Feature	Details
Main Guitars	Acoustic and Electric Guitars
Amplifiers	Tube and Solid-State Amps
Pedals & Effects	Variety of Pedals including Tremolo and Distortion
Strings & Picks	Different Gauges and Materials
Comparison with Other Artists	Differences and Similarities with other Guitar Legends

Main Guitars

Chris Stapleton's selection of guitars is both classic and versatile. His choice of acoustic and electric guitars helps him achieve that raw, bluesy sound he's famous for.

• Acoustic Guitars: Chris often reaches for dreadnoughts and jumbos. Acoustic guitars give him the depth and resonance that's evident in his ballads. Learn more about the different guitar sizes and measurements.

• Electric Guitars: Stapleton's electric choices lean towards solid-body guitars, which offer a rich, full sound, perfect for his genre. Get to know more about solid body electric guitars.

Amplifiers

Every guitarist knows that the amplifier plays a pivotal role in shaping the sound. Chris uses a mix of tube and solid-state amps depending on the song.

• Tube Amplifiers: These amps provide a warm, analog tone. They're perfect for blues and rock. Check out the differences between tube amps and digital amps.

• Solid-State Amplifiers: For a more consistent and clean sound, Chris might use solid-state amps. These are especially useful during live performances.

Pedals & Effects

Chris's pedalboard is a treasure trove for gearheads. Some of his go-to effects include:

• Tremolo Pedal: This pedal gives that wavering sound, adding depth to his tunes. Explore the best tremolo pedals for guitars.

• Distortion: To add some grit to his sound, especially during solos.

• Compressor Pedal: Essential for leveling the sound and making it consistent. Learn what a compressor pedal is.

Want to compare Chris's gear with other artists? Dive into gear details of John Mayer or Tosin Abasi.

Strings & Picks

The right strings can make or break a sound. Chris opts for:

• Medium Gauge Strings: These offer a balanced tone, neither too bright nor too mellow.

• Various Picks: Depending on the song, Chris might use different picks. Discover the best quality guitar picks.

Chris Stapleton’s primary guitar is this Fender Jazzmaster series for his electric and this Gibson J-45 for his acoustic guitar.

Although Stapleton usually plays a Jazzmaster at concert, he finds himself using a different guitar for most of his writings. “I have the Gibson LG2 of the last 50s that broke into pieces,” he explains, “and I’ve written a lot of songs on it… If I had to get rid of everything else, I’d probably save it. My desert island guitar.” Gibson LG2 originally conceived as a student model. LG2 is shaped like a classical guitar. However, the small bodied instrument can still pack a punch. “My wife says it’s like an AM radio,” Stapleton adds (Ref: www.rollingstone.com).

What overdrive pedal does Chris Stapleton use?

He plays a Jazzmaster. These guitars have a unique sound, due to the design of the tailpiece/bridge, and the pickups. They have very little sustain, but a very distinctive voice, especially on those plucked wound strings on the lower frets. The sounds he gets is way more about the guitar than it is about the amp. He uses his signature Fender 62 Princeton Chris Stapleton Edition amp.  

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What kind of guitar does Chris Stapleton play

He plays Fender Jazzmaster as an electric guitar. He also use Gibson LG2 acoustic guitar.

Fender Jazzmaster ’62 Reissue

Gibson LG2 Acoustic Guitar

Gibson J45 Acoustic Guitar

Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster

Many years ago, Chris Stapleton had somewhat of a problem on his hands. A longtime Fender amplifier user, he found that a beloved 1962 Princeton had the tone he loved, with a tremolo to die for, but its 10” speaker just didn’t have the oomph he needed when playing to a live audience. Out of necessity, the Kentucky-born, Nashville-based songwriter and producer sometimes turned to bigger, louder Fender amps as his career blossomed. Still, bigger can often mean heavier. “I found myself using these heads with high wattage Fender amps at really low volume so I’m not killing anybody,” Stapleton says with a laugh. “Eventually I got tired of carrying those things.”

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Conclusion

Chris Stapleton's gear choices reflect his dedication to producing authentic, soul-stirring music. By understanding his equipment, aspiring guitarists can gain insights into achieving a similar sound. Dive deeper into the world of guitars with our ultimate guide to learning the guitar.