Adrian Belew

In this video, Adrian explains the features of his signature guitar and the ways in which he uses it. At 0:35, he says, "It simply is the best guitar that I've ever played. It makes me play better, smoother, more fluidly, faster," about the Parker FLY. At 1:25, he starts talking about the different electronics in his signature model, as opposed to the standard Parker FLY. He says, "We tried to make it the most state of the art electric guitar available today and I believe that it is."

This image of the cover of the May 1982 issue of Guitar World magazine depicts Belew with his famous relic'ed Strat.

In this image originally used as a cover shot for Guitar Player magazine, we see Belew posed with his custom-built Fender Mustang.

Adrian can be seen playing and G-808 with Robert Fripp also playing his G-808

According to Guitar Geek's rig diagram, Adrian uses RMC Poly-Drive 1 Preamps in his guitars.

Adrian uses a Johnson JM150, according to Guitar Geek.

Adrian Belew uses a Line 6 Vette II combo amp, as shown in Guitar Geek's rig diagram.

As shown in Guitar Geek's rig diagram, Adrian uses a Line 6 2x12 Extension Cabinet.

Adrian uses a Bose L1 Compact System, according to this Guitar Geek rig diagram.

According to this Guitar Geek rig diagram, Adrian uses four Bose B1 Subwoofers.

According to Guitar Geek's rig diagram, Adrian uses a Johnson 2x12 Cabinet.

"I first heard a JC-120 at a casual party in L.A. in 1977. Someone was playing some chords and noodling around—not very well in fact—but the sound mesmerized me. I had never heard an amp sound so pristine and beautiful. There was a shimmering clarity to every note. Then the player turned on the actual stereo chorusing. Wow! What an incredible sound. I nearly fell off my chair! I sat there speechless until I finally asked if I could play through it. Within the first two notes I played I was madly in love with the JC-120.

To me, the stereo chorusing and vibrato were the single most beautiful guitar sounds I’d ever heard an amp produce. And I loved the way it looked: cool, modern, and unique. I was in L.A. at the time rehearsing with Frank Zappa, my first big break in the music business. I told Frank about the amp, and the next day one showed up for us to investigate. Frank liked it enough to advance me the money to buy my first JC-120. I still have it comfortably ensconced in my studio. I still love it and still record with it. Oh, and speaking of recording with it, here’s a short list of some of the records I made with my first JC-120:

Sheik Yerbouti with Frank Zappa Lodger with David Bowie Remain in Light with Talking Heads Discipline with King Crimson And that list goes on and on…

In 1979, I made my first trip to Japan as guitarist for David Bowie’s Stage tour. I was given the opportunity to visit one of Roland’s research and development facilities. And there I met the founder of Roland, Mr. Kakehashi, an incredible inventor and a sweet dear man who liked to laugh. The next year, I went back to Japan with Talking Heads, and the year after that with King Crimson. Mr. Kakehashi came to all my shows, and he and I became good friends. At a King Crimson concert in Tokyo, he noticed my tendency to create wild feedback with the JC-120.

I would go back to the JC-120 and wave the guitar in front of it in different ways and it would make a crazy oscillating sound. This was caused by overloading the chorus effect with an Electro Harmonix Big Muff and EQ, then manipulating the chorus parameters. He loved that part of the show and afterwards he asked me, “Is it expensive to do that sound?” I said, “Cheap, if you already have a Roland Jazz Chorus amp”. He laughed and thought that was great. Whenever I saw him from then on he would remind me by imitating someone swinging a guitar around.

When I think of how much Mr. K’s ideas changed modern music (and indeed my music), I am truly amazed. The Roland Jazz Chorus JC-120 has made a huge mark on the music of the last four decades and continues to do so today. There is simply nothing else like it. In my opinion, it has to be considered in the pantheon of the top three amplifiers of all time."

Adrian uses a GR-30 as shown in this diagram from Guitar Geek.

Adrian uses Line 6 Variax power supplies, according to this Guitar Geek rig diagram.

Anther piece of gear that Adrian uses is this Roland US-20. This diagram outlines all of Adrian's gear.

Adrian uses a Boss FV 300H volume pedal, according to Guitar Geek's rig diagram.

According to Guitar Geek's rig diagram, Adrian uses a Roland VG-99.

Adrian uses a Digitech Jimi Hendrix Experience pedal, as shown in this Guitar Geek rig diagram.

The Digitech Harmony Man can be seen in this video at the 11:53 mark. Belew uses this pedal to replicate the sound of multiple guitars or, according to Belew, "To pretend that I play really fast." He uses the pedal's intervals without the original guitar signal to manipulate the sound of multiple notes being played. He also worked with Digitech on the "Impossible pedal" that's based on the Harmony Man.

Adrian uses an Analogman Peppermint Fuzz pedal, according to Guitar Geek.

A Pigtronix Disnortion pedal can be seen on Adrian's Guitar Geek rig diagram.

On Adrian's Guitar Geek rig diagram, a Digitech Whammy 4 can be seen.

Adrian uses a Gig-Fx Chopper pedal, according to this Guitar Geek's rig diagram.

As seen on Guitar Geek, Adrian uses a Johnson J-12 foot controller.

Adrian uses a Keeley Compressor 2-Knob pedal, according to Guitar Geek.

Adrian uses a Roland RC-300 controller, according to Guitar Geek's rig diagram.

Adrian uses a Boomerang Phrase Sampler, according to Guitar Geek.