Richard Fortus

In a video by James Trussart Custom Guitars, Richard Fortus showcases the James Trussart Steel-O-Matic Richard Fortus Model, highlighting its unique Antique Silver Snakeskin finish. Developed in collaboration with Trussart, this guitar is a testament to Fortus's distinct style and preferences.

I have friends who are Gretsch aficionados, and it seems that ’58 is the year to have. It was the first year of the Filter’Tron, and those are the shit. I have three ’58s, all in the Chet line: a 6120 [Chet Atkins Hollowbody], a 6119 [Chet Atkins Tennessean] and a 6122 [Chet Atkins Country Gentleman].

I have friends who are Gretsch aficionados, and it seems that ’58 is the year to have. It was the first year of the Filter’Tron, and those are the shit. I have three ’58s, all in the Chet line: a 6120 [Chet Atkins Hollowbody], a 6119 [Chet Atkins Tennessean] and a 6122 [Chet Atkins Country Gentleman].

Richard Focus can be seen here holding the Apogee JAM Guitar Input. He says, "JAM is the ultimate A/D in for guitar. Unsurpassable quality in a super portable and rugged package. The ideal touring audio in. Don’t sacrifice your tone!"

One can see a Strymon OB.1 pedal on Richard Fortus' pedalboard at 11:33.

The interviewer in this video asks Richard Fortus about his Electro Harmonix HOG at 13:05. He says, "The Hog I use for 'Madagascar,' the lead in 'Madagascar.' Which is a real over the top filter sweep...It's like the voice of God. It's pretty huge."

At 16:10 in this Rig Rundown for Richard Fortus of Guns N' Roses, and The Dead Daisies, his gear is shown, displaying a Dunlop Cry Baby Rack Wah Unit.

At 16:10 in this Rig Rundown for Richard Fortus of Guns N' Roses, and The Dead Daisies, his gear is shown, displaying a TC Electronic G-Major II Guitar Effects Processor.

At 15:20 in this Rig Rundown for Richard Fortus of Guns N' Roses, and The Dead Daisies, his gear is shown, displaying a Yamaha AG-stomp.

At 15:05 in this Rig Rundown for Richard Fortus of Guns N' Roses, and The Dead Daisies, his gear is shown, displaying a Pigtronix Echolution.

According to Fortus' website, Fortus also uses the Matchless DC-30 amplifier.

According to Fortus' website, he also uses the Godin Glissentar.

At 10:59 Richard Fortus say's he runs his amps into a speaker simulator (The Motherload Elemental)

Listed under Fortus on the official Echopark artist page.

Guitars:

58 Albert,

Richard was completely satisfied with the instruments and our work; he chose one of the two guitars and stated that from now on, this Guild D-40 would be his main acoustic guitar for the rest of the tour. He expressed, as well, that this D-40 sounded better than the other guitars in his collection.

We have endorsement with Mr fortus. He uses our Boonar multihead drum echo and Red Rox distortion.

Richard Fortus uses the Red Witch Synthotron, as highlighted in the Artists Gallery by Red Witch Pedals.

According to D'Addario website Richard uses these strings

D'Addario website has Richard as one of their endorsers and he uses these strings

Fortus demos this amp as part of a demonstration of his live rig.

Quoted on the official product page.

“The Teleport is a total game changer for me. No dedicated guitar, no specialty pickup to install on a guitar. Any guitar, any pickup and you have a midi controller with no latency issues to control any midi keyboard or soft synth. A total dream come true for me!”

Richard Fortus

Guns N Roses

Replaced his vintage Whammy for a brief time

According to this Guitar Geek rig diagram, Richard Fortus used a Diezel Vh4 head when he played with the Psychedelic Furs circa 2001.

According to this Guitar Geek rig diagram, Richard Fortus used a Roland GR-30 guitar synthesizer with the Psychedelic Furs.

According to this Guitar Geek rig diagram, Richard Fortus used a Zvex Super Hard On boost pedal with the Psychedelic Furs.

According to this screenshot from Pigtronix’s website, Richard Fortus uses a Pigtronix FAT Drive.

Richard Fortus is confirmed to use the Vemuram Jan Ray overdrive pedal, as evidenced by a post from vemuram_official on Instagram. The post includes a caption thanking Fortus for his support and expressing excitement about having their pedals in his rig.

Richard Fortus is confirmed to use the Way Huge Electronics Limited Edition Blue Hippo Analog Chorus MKII, as evidenced by a post from the official Instagram account of Vemuram. The post, dated May 30, 2025, expresses gratitude to Fortus for including their pedals in his rig, with a specific mention of his current tour with Guns N' Roses.

Richard Fortus uses the Sinvertek SHXC, as confirmed by an Instagram post from vemuram_official, which thanks him for including their pedals in his rig.

Richard Fortus is confirmed to use the Gretsch G6636-RF Richard Fortus Signature Falcon Center Block guitar, as he is seen playing it in a presentation video by Gretsch Guitars at 14:08. In this video, Fortus introduces his signature Gretsch Falcon models and shares his excitement about having a signature guitar, stating, "The Falcon has always been iconic. Having a signature Gretsch … I still can’t believe it." Additionally, he plays this guitar model during Guns N' Roses' "What You Want & What You Get Are Two Completely Different Things" tour. This information is provided by Gretsch Guitars on their YouTube channel.