Alex Turner

In this photo of Alex Turner's pedalboard, his Electro-Harmonix XO Hum Debugger Hum Eliminator Guitar Effects Pedal can be seen on the right side.

In this photo, Alex Turner can be seen playing a Fender Stratocaster in a black finish. It has been determined to be a Made In Mexico Strat, due to the 21 frets and 6 screw bridge.

Used to record "Do I Wanna Know?" and for each live performance of it. Alex Turner has been seen using the Vox Starstream in many notable performances, such as Austin City Limits 2013 and Live at the Red Bull Sound Space at KROQ, the latter seen in this 2013 video. It was also used for a live performance "Crying Lightning" on March 5, 2018 at The Hollywood Forever Cemetery and for some live performances of "Cornerstone" in 2022 (https://youtu.be/O4biHn4ZpGk). The story of the Starstream's acquisition and initial use on AM was given by producer James Ford in this August 1, 2013 NME interview.

What was your favourite moment recording the album?

It was actually when ‘Do I Wanna Know?’ came together, I just remember thinking, ‘This sums up what we’re trying to do’. It felt kind of heavy – and heavy in mood as well. It had a weight to it that I really like. I remember when that came together being really excited, and seeing the picture crystallise in front of me a little bit of where we going. It was one of the first ones we got done, and it was that thing of it coming together – I could see the end call from that point onwards.

That riff was written on Alex’s 12-string Vox guitar, right?

Yeah. I remember when we bought it, I’ve got a picture of Alex playing it when we did the previous album [‘Suck It And See’]. He found it at the end of that record, and we never really used it on it. But I remember it quite distinctly, because it’s got these effects built into the guitar and I think he actually bought it as a bit of a joke. But I think it actually turned into a bit of an inspirational instrument! A lot of the riffs were written on that particular guitar.

Tom Rowley also plays the guitar for "one for the road"

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 uses a Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer for both live and recording sessions for various Arctic Monkeys albums. Alex can first be seen using the TS808 during the recording of the bands second album, “Favourite Worst Nightmare” seen in the music video for “Teddy Picker” which features footage of the band recording the album, also used for that song for its overdrive tone. The Tube Scream can be seen on Turners board during the “Humbug” tour as well, clearly heard on songs such as “Crying Lightning.”

Alex kept the pedal on his board though the recording of the bands 4th and 5th albums for his overdriven tone, heard on songs such as “She’s Thunderstorms” from “Suck It and See” and “I Wanna Be Yours” from “AM.” The tube screamer was spotted in photos from the recording of both of those albums. Alex stopped using the pedal during the bands 6th album and tour, as he started using a completely new board which is much simpler compared to the on he used on “AM,” likely because he liked the simpler board he used on The Last Shadow Puppets tour before this album.

Pictured is Alex Turner with the Ibanez TS808 Tube Scream on his pedalboard during a live show during the bands “AM” tour in 2013. The pedal can be seen next to Turners Electro Harmonix "POG" Polyphonic Octave Generator and above his Boss Line Selector. Looking at pictures from his pedalboard though out the years he often moves the pedal in different parts of his chain, depending on what other gear he uses at the time.

Alex Turner uses a Selmer Zodiac Twin 30 combo amp as his primary amplifier for almost all of Arctic Monkeys records and live performances. During the bands early shows and first tour, Alex used primarily an Orange Combo amp or a Vox AC30, even earlier The amp can first be seen during the recording of the bands second album, “Favourite Worst Nightmare,” as it was seen being used in the “Teddy Picker” music video. Looking though pictures of all the bands recording sessions the amp can be seen, usually in combination with a smaller amp for a more dirty, vibrato tone.

In an interview with long time producer James Ford, from Sound on Sound, Ford goes into detail on how him and the band went about using their gear in this 2011 interview. Ford states, “They took all their own guitar amps and stuff that we've used quite a lot before, a great old Selmer and Magnatone amps. We knew what we were doing, really. I've been in quite a few sessions where it's pretty up in the air and there's just too many things to think about, so it's harder to concentrate on the actual sonics and the performance. This time it was much easier in that respect.” James continues, “Alex Turner's rig typically featured him playing his faithful Fender Bronco or occasionally a Gibson Les Paul through his crocodile‑skin Selmer Zodiac and '60s Magnatone amps. "Al does more rhythmy stuff, and for that it was just pretty straight, quite bright and punchy into the Selmer. We sometimes ran that and his old Magnatone at the same time. It has a really nice vibrato on it and reverb. So sometimes we'd mix those two signals together, but just onto the one track.”

The band also has an identical version of this amp, which can be seen amplifying various keyboards and synthesizer throughout their live shows.

An example of how Turner likes to keep the setting on this amp would be the song “Fluorescent Adolescent“ off the bands second record. The amp has a distinct British tone, clean with a bit of chime and breakup.

Pictured is Alex’s Selmer Zodiac Twin 30 during the recording of “Suck It And See” at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles.

(Sound on Sound, James Ford: Producing Arctic Monkeys) http://www.soundonsound.com/people/james-ford-producing-arctic-monkeys%3famp

Alex Turner has used a Vox AC30 Guitar Combo Amp at various times throughout his career, including during the Arctic Monkeys' early tours and the Suck It and See tour. A user-uploaded photo on the Arctic Monkeys gear forum shows this amp in use.

Alex Turner uses a MXR Micro Amp on his board as a boost to his clean signal or to boost the drive of his amp/overdrives for solos. Turner uses the pedal when playing in both Arctic Monkeys as it has been seen in every tour/ recording session since their second album and also during the second Last Shadow Puppets tour.

Adding a preset amount of gain with just a single control, the Micro Amp is a great way to boost the signal for lead work or adjust between two different guitars with unmatched output such as humbuckers to single-coils. It can also provide a permanent boost in a long effects chain where signal drop off is a problem.

Pictured is Turner’s pedal board early during the “Humbug” era in 2009. The Mirco Amp can be seen mid-board next to Alex’s Vintage TS808 Tube screamer.

In this photo Alex Turner can be seen playing his custom Warmoth Jazzmaster. Which he seemed to start using with just the bridge pickup to emulate his old Fender Bronco.

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 photo above, Alex Turner can be seen using a Fender Standard Stratocaster in an Olympic white finish.

This is Turner's USA strat, due to it having 22 frets, whereas his Mexican strat (the black strat) has 21 frets.

Alex Turner uses the Fulltone Mini DejaVibe Stereo Chorus Pedal that has been seen on his pedalboard since the Suck It and See tour/recording sessions, used also during the recording/tour of the “AM” era also. An example of how Turner uses this pedal is for songs such as “Knee Socks.”

Pictured is Alex Turner during a live show during Arctic Monkeys “Suck It and See” tour in 2011. The Fulltone can be seen under the Boss DM-1 Delay Machine on his board.

Alex Turner uses a Fender Vintage Reissue '65 Twin Reverb 2x12-inch 85-watt Tube Guitar Amplifier at different recording sessions and live with Arctic Monkeys. Early on, Alex played this amp during the bands second tour of their “Favourite Worst Nightmare” album. Years later the Fender can be seen amplifying his keyboard during the “Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino” tour. The Twin Reverb connects a Sennheiser e906 Dynamic microphone that he also uses on his guitar amp, which is typically his Selmer Zodiac Twin 30 or later on a larger Magnatone.

The '65 Twin Reverb is a meticulous reissue of a true American classic. The iconic 85 watt, all-tube combo amp serves up definitive clean tone. The amp is also devastatingly loud at 85 watts, it speaks with authority at any volume sounding beautifully chimey, glassy, and full throated. Sonically, the Fender Twin Reverb is based on their classic 1965 Blackface circuitry, and it delivers the legendary sound.

Pictured, Alex can be seen using the Twin Reverb during a live show during Arctic Monkeys 6th studio album’s live tour. Turner has used the amp before to amplify his guitars, but on this tour he switched back to a single amp for his guitar tones, the first time since the bands first record. The Fender amps his main keyboard during the tour, about half way though at around the bands Manchester/Sheffield shows, Alex switched to a Dynacord Rex to amp his keys.

The black Fender '78 Bronco Electric Guitar is used by Arctic Monkeys guitarist Alex Turner during this live performance.

Arctic Monkey's lead guitarist Alex Turner uses this beautiful Gibson J-45 Standard Acoustic-Electric Guitar in his live acoustic for Spin Magazine.

The Fender Hot Rod Deluxe can be seen beneath the Vox AC30 when Arctic Monkeys performed reckless serenade in 2011. Typically Turner used the combination of his Selmer Zodiac Twin 30 and his Magnatone 410, but had went with the Vox and Fender for this performance on the Jay Leno Show. The Hot Rod can also seen on the studio in Arctic Monkeys feat. Richard Hawley - “You And I” music video

Alex Turner used the Cornell The First Fuzz pedal for the distinctive riffs and solos on the albums "Humbug," "Suck It and See," and "AM." This pedal was later replaced by the Wattson Super Fuzz for the "Everything You've Come to Expect" tour and was also seen on stage during the "Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino" tour, as evidenced by a user-uploaded photo on Pmtonline.

Alex Turner plays a 1962 Gretsch G6128T Duo Jet for live and recording sessions with Arctic Monkeys. Alex primarily uses the guitar live for the song “R U Mine?” as he recorded the song with the Gretsch to get a more gritty tone. The guitar was a gift from former girlfriend Arielle Vandenberg in 2011-2012, around the time he recorded the song, often dedicating the song to her at live shows. He has also used the guitar live for songs such as “Arabella” and “Mad Sounds” on a rare occasion. It is unknown what other songs he has recorded with the Duo Jet, it can be safe to say it was used during the “AM” recording sessions and the recording of the “R U Mine?” single in 2012.

Pictured is Alex Turner during the First show of Arctic Monkey’s “AM” tour at the Ventura Theater in May 2013 playing the vintage Gretsch.

Alex Turner is seen using a Fender Telecaster in several photos, including in a user-uploaded image above. He also plays this guitar during Arctic Monkeys' cover of "Reptilia," which can be found online.

Turner was seen using the Troy Van Leeuwen Jazzmaster onstage at a concert with singer/songwriter Alexandra Savior.

Alex Turner uses an Ovation Viper Electric Guitar built by the Ovation Guitar Company when playing with both Arctic Monkeys and The Last Shadow Puppets, the Viper was seen being played during the “Humbug” tour and the Puppet’s “Everything You’ve Come To Expect” tour. When playing the Viper during the “Humbug” tour, Alex switched between this and one of his Jazzmasters, either his Fender or Custom Warmoth, replacing his Fender Bronco that he used during the bands second tour.

When Alex is playing the guitar with the Puppets, he has the guitar tuned so it's a whole step down in D Tuning, also called One Step Lower, Whole Step Down, Full Step or D Standard. Each string is lowered by a whole tone or two semitones, resulting in D-G-C-F-A-D. For "Aviation” and "Element of Surprise,” the guitar is used open so it’s in D. Turner uses a capo on the 2nd fret for when the band covers The Beatles "I Want You(She’s So Heavy)" so he can play the chords like the guitar is in standard tuning.

The Ovation Viper is an electric guitar made by Ovation Guitar Company from 1977 to the early 1980s. The Viper sports two single coil pickups, a single volume knob, a single tone knob and a three-way selector switch, very much like a Fender Telecaster. Ovation made their own pickups and they designed these to have a higher output than a regular single coil. They were also well-shielded and had very little hum when plugged in.

Pictured is Alex Turner during The Last Shadow Puppets show at T In The Park in 2016 seen playing his vintage Ovation Viper.

Alex Turner uses the Danelectro DTE-1 Reel Echo pedal, as seen in a user-uploaded photo from the recording of their first album.

The Boss TU-3 Chromatic Pedal Tuner is found in use by lead guitarist Alex Turner' s pedalboard. This Boss pedal has been in use since at least the Arctic Monkeys' first tour in 2005. (bottom right)

Alex Turner can be seen here during the recording of their first album with his Orange Amplifiers AD Series AD30TC 30W 2x12 Tube Combo Amp. Turner went on to replace this amp after their first tour.

Alex Turner uses a Coopersonic Valveslapper Duel Valve Distortion pedal on his board since Arctic Monkeys 3rd album recording and tour. This pedal is what Alex famously uses for the tone of “Do I Wanna Know” among other pedals, amps and his 12-String Guitar. Turner also has the original model of the Coopersonic, red in color, that he has switched to and from during his career.

Pictured is both Alex’s and Jamie Cook’s pedalboards backstage during the “Humbug” tour in 2009-2010. The Valveslapper can be seen in the middle of Turner’s board on the left next to his vintage TS808.

Alex Turner, lead guitarist of the Arctic Monkeys, is known to use Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm Guitar Picks, as mentioned in a feature by The Guardian.

Guitarist Alex Turner uses the Hughes & Kettner Tube Tools Tube Rotosphere MKII during Arctic Monkeys Favourite Worst Nightmare era. This Pedal can famously be heard during the “Teddy Picker” solo. Pictured on the right of Turners pedalboard next to his TS808 on the left hand side of this picture.

The Hughes & Kettner Tube Rotosphere II summons true Leslie tone in a hefty, steel-faced pedal through features like fast and slow modes, a rotor balance controls, and individual knobs for drive and output. Built on the foundation of an actual Hughes & Kettner 12AX7 vacuum tube which is visible on the front, the second iteration of the Rotosphere introduces a guitar/keyboard switch on the top which allows for wholly separate impedance and EQ settings.

The Rotosphere offers two rotation speeds and fine harmonic tube distortion generated by an ingenious high-voltage tube circuit. The Rotation simulations can be heard on the bands second album.

The Morley ABY Footswitch is used by turner to switch between his amps. The Morley is used to switch primarily between keeping his primary amp on (Selmer Zodic/Magnatone 280) or keeping both amps on (Magnatone 410/Gretsch 6051/Fender Hot Rod).

Alex Turner uses the Electro Harmonix XO Holy Grail Plus Variable Reverb Pedal on his pedalboard during the Arctic Monkey's 2009 - 2010 “Humbug” tour. The Pedal was first seen on his board at some point during the bands second tour as Alex added it to his board, then used it for the recording of their 3rd album. After this tour Turner removed the pedal from his board, the pedal is still seen sitting atop of his Magnatone 410 during the “Suck It and See” and “AM” tours, most likely always on.

The Electro Harmonix Holy Grail Teverb features spring, hall, and flerb reverbs. Also the pedal features a graceful room reverb and a multifunction control that lets you control decay, damping and modulation speed. Turner used reverb on most songs he records, as most artists do to creat ambiance and expand the sounds of his guitar tones.

Pictured, Alex Turner can be seen using the Holy Grail during a show during the “Humbug” tour. The pedal is seen above Alex’s Coopersonic Valveslapper distortion pedal and next to his Tubescreamer.

Turner can be seen playing a Woolworth Top 20 in this photo.