Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

Jamie Cook uses a Hiwatt Studio/Stage 2x12 combo as his main amplifier for recording and live shows for almost every tour Arctic Monkeys has done. Cook can first be seen using this amplifier as early as the bands first tour and as late as their last tour when Jamie used this Hiwatt and an AC30 for his live setup. Alex Turner, the lead singer/guitarist of the band has the same model as Cook, he can be seen using it occasionally during their first and second tours. Alex’s Hiwatt can also be seen during their live performance at Maida Vale in 2018.

The Hiwatt Studio/Stage 2x12 Combo uses a specially wound output transformer. The Hiwatt Studio Stage Combo can switch from 20 watts to 40 watts of power, while retaining its pure Class A tone. Features include High and Low sensitivity inputs, Gain with switchable boost, Bass, mid, Treble, full size Accutronic spring reverb and master volume control. Equipped with 2 Fane 12" speakers all assembled in an 18 marine ply cabinet.

Boasting the classic design that brought Hiwatt to the forefront of amplification, the Classic Series tube amps feature the point-to-point, military specific design based on Dave Reeves' original amplifiers. Hiwatt Custom amplifiers use only the best quality components, including hand-wound Partridge transformers and marine birch hand-built cabinets.

Pictured, the Hiwatt amp can be seen behind Jamie during the first tour of Arctic Monkeys first album, “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not.”

Jamie Cook plays a Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus at various points during recording and live sessions for Arctic Monkeys. The Roland can first be seen during the recording of their first album pictured here next to Matt when the band practiced at Yellow Arch Studios. The Rolland can also be seen at different live shows during the Humbug era.

First introduced way back in 1975, the JC-120 Jazz Chorus is one of the few guitar amps that can truly be called a legend. Roland’s long-standing flagship is universally recognized by pros as the benchmark in clean guitar sound, and its rich tone and famous built-in stereo chorus effect have been heard on countless popular songs over its long history. Now celebrating 40 years of continuous production and counting, the JC-120 remains the undisputed “king of clean,” and the enduring choice of serious guitarists everywhere.

Jamie typically uses Hiwatt amps, which are known for their clean tones, similar to this Rolland.

Jamie Cook played a Vox AC30 during live performances with Arctic Monkeys at different points though out their careers. In the live performances following the release of the bands first album, “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m not,” both lead guitarist/lead singer Alex Turner and Jamie began experimenting with their amps. They are both seen using Hiwatt Studio/Stage 2x12 Combos and these Vox AC30s.

After their initial experimentations, Alex used the AC30 while Jamie seemed to stick with other amps until the band released their 6th album, “Tranquility Base Hotel And Casino,” where Jamie implemented an AC15 into the recording and live sessions.

Pictured, an early show of the band with both Jamie and Alex playing AC30s at one of their shows on their first tour. These Vox amps replaced Alex’s Orange and Jamie’s Hiwatt for this show, but they didn’t seem to stick with them as their primary sound as Alex moved toward more vintage amps such as Selmers and Magnatones and Jamie went with more clean and powerful Hiwatt style amps.

In the photo above, Jamie Cook can be seen using a Fender Telecaster 62 Reissue.

This was the guitar Jamie used in the early days of the Arctic Monkeys and used on their debut album.

Jamie Cook used the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi fuzz pedal during the recording of their first album. The use is evidenced by a user-uploaded photo.

In this photo of an early Alex Turner pedalboard, he used a pair of Pro Co RAT2 Distortion Pedals during the Arctic Monkey's "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not" tour back in 2005-2006.

Alex Turner played a Fender Mexican Standard Stratocaster, specifically an Olympic White model, during the "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not" era, as evidenced by a user-uploaded photo.

Alex Turner plays a Vox AC15 during different shows and recording sessions, as seen here during a show during the Arctic Monkey’s “Suck It and See” tour paired with his Selmer Zodiac Twin 30. Previously, Alex played an AC30 during Arctic Monkeys first tour of their first album, “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m not.”

This amp is likely the same one that Jamie Cook plays during their 6th tour of their album “Tranquility Base Hotel And Casino.” Cook can be seen playing the amplifier during all live performances during that tour.

The Vox AC15 boasts a Normal and Top Boost channel and is an all-tube, EL84 driven workhorse that delivers 15 watts of authentic British tone.

In the official video for "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor" by Arctic Monkeys, Andy Nicholson can be seen using an Ampeg VT-40 Amplifier around the 1:08 mark.

Nicholson is pictured here with a Fender Precision.

Nick O'Malley used this amp during the "WPSIATWIN" and "Favourite Worst Nightmare" era.