Gary Moore's guitar tone could make you weep or make you want to throw yourself into a wall of sound.
Gary Moore was a Northern Irish blues-rock guitarist known for his emotive playing style and iconic equipment setup, most famously his 1959 Gibson Les Paul 'Greeny' and Marshall amplifiers.
I've spent the last 15 years studying legendary guitar tones, and Gary Moore's setup represents one of the most influential and emotionally powerful rigs in rock history.
His gear choices weren't random – every piece served a purpose in creating that legendary tone that influenced countless players from Joe Bonamassa to Kirk Hammett.
This guide covers his most important guitars, amplifiers, effects, and setup secrets, plus practical advice for recreating his sound with modern equipment.
What Made Gary Moore's Guitar Setup So Special?
Gary Moore's signature sound came from the combination of vintage Gibson Les Paul guitars with reversed pickup polarity, Marshall tube amplifiers, and strategic use of overdrive pedals like the Marshall Guv'nor and Ibanez Tube Screamer.
The magic wasn't just in the gear – it was how he combined vintage equipment with his aggressive playing style and preference for high action.
His approach to tone was both emotional and technical, using equipment that could handle his powerful vibrato and sustain for days.
⚠️ Important: Gary Moore's gear represents some of the most expensive vintage equipment in guitar history. Original pieces can cost $200,000-$500,000+ for authentic vintage items.
Gary Moore's Legendary Guitars
The Crown Jewel: 1959 Gibson Les Paul "Greeny"
What guitar did Gary Moore play? The 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard known as "Greeny" was Gary Moore's most famous instrument and one of the most legendary guitars in rock history.
Originally owned by Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac, this guitar featured a unique "out of phase" pickup configuration that created its distinctive tone.
The guitar got its nickname from its sunburst finish that had faded to green over the years.
"That guitar has a soul. It's not just a piece of wood and metal – it's got something special in it."
- Gary Moore on "Greeny"
Gary Moore acquired Greeny from Peter Green in the early 1970s, reportedly for around £100-£200.
The guitar's neck pickup was installed backwards, creating the famous "out of phase" sound when both pickups were selected.
This gave the guitar a hollow, nasal quality that became central to Gary Moore's blues tone, especially on songs like "Still Got the Blues."
Out of Phase Pickups: When pickups are wired with opposite magnetic polarity, they cancel out certain frequencies, creating a hollow, nasal tone with reduced low-end and a characteristic midrange honk.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Year | 1959 |
| Model | Gibson Les Paul Standard |
| Finish | Sunburst (faded to green) |
| Pickups | PAF Humbuckers (neck pickup reversed) |
| Current Owner | Kirk Hammett (purchased 2026 for reported $2 million) |
The Backup: 1959 Gibson Les Paul "Stripe"
Gary Moore's second most famous guitar was another 1959 Les Paul Standard, nicknamed "Stripe" for the prominent grain line running down its top.
Unlike Greeny, Stripe had normally wired pickups and served as Moore's main guitar during his heavier rock periods.
This guitar appeared on many Thin Lizzy recordings and Moore's harder-edged solo material.
Stripe represented the more aggressive side of Moore's playing, with its conventional pickup wiring providing fuller low-end and more conventional humbucker tones.
Other Notable Guitars in Gary Moore's Collection
While the two 1959 Les Pauls dominated his sound, Gary Moore used several other guitars throughout his career.
- Gibson Flying V: Used during his rock periods, especially with Thin Lizzy
- Fender Stratocaster: Occasional use for different tonal textures
- Gibson SG: Early career recordings and live performances
- Various Acoustic Guitars: Including Takamine and Gibson models for unplugged performances
✅ Pro Tip: Gary Moore's preference for 1959 Les Pauls wasn't just about tone – the neck profiles and weight of these guitars suited his playing style perfectly. He often said newer guitars felt "too perfect" compared to the character of vintage instruments.
The Amplifiers Behind the Tone
What Amp Did Gary Moore Use?
Marshall JTM45 and Plexi amplifiers formed the foundation of Gary Moore's legendary tone, providing the warm tube saturation and dynamic response that made his playing so expressive.
The JTM45, Marshall's first amplifier model from 1962, became Moore's go-to amp for its musical breakup and singing sustain.
These 45-watt tube heads delivered exactly the right amount of power for his needs – enough headroom for clean tones but sweet distortion when pushed.
Marshall JTM45: The Foundation
The Marshall JTM45 was Gary Moore's primary amplifier throughout his most influential period.
This amp's EL34 power tubes and simple circuitry created the warm, musical distortion that defined British rock and blues tone.
Moore often ran his JTM45 through Marshall 4x12 cabinets loaded with Celestion G12M Greenback speakers.
| Feature | Marshall JTM45 | Marshall Plexi |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 45 watts | 50/100 watts |
| Tubes | 4x EL34 | 4x EL34 |
| Channels | 2 | 2 |
| Era Used | Primary choice | Later career |
Amp Settings and Modifications
Gary Moore typically ran his Marshall amps with moderate gain settings, relying on pedals and playing technique for additional distortion.
His typical JTM45 settings included volume around 7, treble at 6, middle at 5, and bass at 4.
He preferred to get his sustain from the interaction between his guitar, amp, and effects rather than excessive preamp gain.
This approach gave him better dynamic response and allowed his playing technique to shape the tone more directly.
Speaker Cabinets and Microphone Placement
Marshall 4x12 cabinets with Celestion G12M Greenback speakers were Gary Moore's standard setup.
These speakers provided the midrange focus and compression that complemented his Les Pauls perfectly.
In the studio, engineers typically placed microphones close to the speaker cone, slightly off-axis to capture both the direct sound and some room ambience.
Effects and Pedals That Shaped His Sound
The Essential Overdrive: Marshall Guv'nor
The Marshall Guv'nor overdrive pedal was Gary Moore's secret weapon for pushing his Marshall amps into singing sustain territory.
This pedal provided the extra gain needed for his blues leads while maintaining the character of his tube amp.
Moore used the Guv'nor with moderate gain settings, treating it more as a boost than a distortion effect.
The pedal's EQ section allowed him to shape his tone for different songs and venues.
Classic Sustain: Ibanez Tube Screamer
Gary Moore also relied on various Ibanez Tube Screamer models throughout his career for their characteristic midrange boost and smooth compression.
He particularly favored the TS808 and TS9 models for their ability to tighten low-end while adding singing sustain.
The Tube Screamer's midrange emphasis complementated his Les Paul's natural voice perfectly.
Moore often stacked the Tube Screamer with other pedals for different levels of gain and saturation.
Additional Effects in His Arsenal
- Boss DS-1 Distortion: Used for heavier rock tones and aggressive rhythm parts
- Reverb: Usually from his amplifier's built-in spring reverb
- Delay: Sparse use, mainly for specific songs and ambient passages
- Wah Pedal: Occasional use for expressive leads and funk-influenced material
⏰ Time Saver: Gary Moore's effects chain was intentionally simple. He believed that too many effects muddied the pure connection between player, guitar, and amp. Focus on getting one or two pedals that sound great rather than building a complex pedalboard.
Strings, Picks, and Setup Secrets
String Gauges and Playing Feel
Gary Moore used heavy gauge strings, typically .011-.052 sets or even heavier, which contributed significantly to his massive tone and powerful vibrato.
Heavy strings provided more mass and tension, resulting in greater sustain and fuller tone.
The extra tension also made his aggressive bending technique more effective and allowed for the wide vibrato that became his signature.
Many players struggle to adapt to heavy strings, but Moore considered them essential for his sound.
High Action and Setup Preferences
Gary Moore preferred relatively high action on his guitars – much higher than most modern players would find comfortable.
This setup allowed him to attack the strings aggressively without causing fret buzz or unwanted noise.
The high action also contributed to his sustain and allowed for his characteristic wide bends and aggressive vibrato technique.
His pickup heights were set to capture the full output of his PAF humbuckers while maintaining clarity and note separation.
| Setup Element | Gary Moore's Preference | Modern Standard |
|---|---|---|
| String Gauge | .011-.052 or heavier | .009-.042 |
| Action (12th fret) | 3-4mm | 2-2.5mm |
| Pickup Height | Close to strings | Moderate distance |
| Neck Relief | Minimal | Standard .010" |
How to Recreate Gary Moore's Sound Today
Budget-Friendly Alternatives (Under $2,000)
You don't need vintage gear to capture the essence of Gary Moore's tone – modern alternatives can get you surprisingly close.
For guitars, look for Gibson Les Paul Tributes, Studios, or quality Epiphone Les Pauls with good pickups.
Modern Marshall amps like the JTM45 reissue or DSL series provide excellent alternatives to vintage heads.
- Guitar: Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus ($600-800) with Seymour Duncan PAF-style pickups
- Amplifier: Marshall DSL40CR ($600-700) for excellent JTM45-inspired tones
- Effects: Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive ($50) as Tube Screamer alternative
- Cabinet: Marshall MX212A 2x12 ($400) with Celestion speakers
Mid-Range Setup ($2,000-$5,000)
This tier gets you much closer to authentic Gary Moore tones with better components and more vintage-accurate gear.
- Guitar: Gibson Les Paul Studio or Standard ($1,500-2,500)
- Amplifier: Marshall JTM45 reissue head ($1,800-2,200)
- Effects: Original Ibanez TS808 or TS9 ($200-300)
- Cabinet: Marshall 1960A 4x12 with Greenbacks ($800-1,000)
High-End Recreation ($5,000+)
For serious tone chasers, this level provides near-authentic recreation of Gary Moore's legendary setup.
Gibson Custom Shop Les Pauls with period-correct PAF pickups get very close to vintage tone.
Boutique amp builders create historically accurate JTM45 circuits with authentic components.
Professional setup work becomes crucial at this level to achieve the exact feel and response Gary Moore preferred.
Quick Summary: Start with the amp – it's more important than the exact guitar. A good Marshall-style tube amp will get you 70% of the way there, regardless of your guitar choice.
Modern Technology Solutions
Digital amp modelers and profiling amps offer another path to Gary Moore tones.
Units like the Kemper, Fractal Audio, or Line 6 Helix include authentic profiles of vintage Marshall amps.
These solutions work especially well for home players who can't crank tube amps to performance levels.
Many players report excellent results using digital solutions for practice and recording, switching to tube amps for live performance.
Evolution of Gary Moore's Gear Through His Career
Early Career and Skid Row (1960s-early 1970s)
Gary Moore's early gear was typical of young rock musicians in the late 1960s – whatever he could afford and find.
His first notable guitar was a Fender Telecaster, which he used during his time with Skid Row.
Basic Marshall amps and limited effects characterized this period, but his talent was already evident.
The acquisition of Greeny in the early 1970s marked the beginning of his legendary tone development.
Thin Lizzy Years (1974-1979)
During his time with Thin Lizzy, Gary Moore's gear evolved to handle both lead and rhythm duties in a twin-guitar format.
He relied heavily on both Greeny and Stripe during this period, using their different characteristics for various songs.
His Marshall stack setup became more powerful to compete with Phil Lynott's bass and the second guitarist.
This period saw him develop the aggressive playing style that would define his later solo career.
Solo Blues Period (1980s-2000s)
Gary Moore's blues period saw him refine his gear to focus on expression and emotional impact rather than pure power.
Greeny became his primary instrument, with its out-of-phase sound perfect for his blues expression.
His effects became more sophisticated, incorporating different overdrives and occasionally more ambient effects.
This period produced his most influential tones and established him as one of the premier blues-rock guitarists.
Frequently Asked Questions
What guitar did Gary Moore play most often?
Gary Moore's primary guitar was a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard nicknamed 'Greeny,' originally owned by Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac. This guitar featured reversed neck pickup wiring that created its famous 'out of phase' sound and became central to Moore's blues tone.
How much did Gary Moore pay for Greeny?
Gary Moore acquired Greeny from Peter Green in the early 1970s for reportedly around £100-£200. The guitar is now worth millions and was purchased by Kirk Hammett for an estimated $2 million in recent years.
What amplifier did Gary Moore use on Still Got the Blues?
Gary Moore used a Marshall JTM45 amplifier head through Marshall 4x12 cabinets for 'Still Got the Blues' and most of his classic recordings. The JTM45's warm tube saturation and musical breakup were essential to his signature blues tone.
Can you recreate Gary Moore's tone with modern gear?
Yes, modern gear can recreate Gary Moore's essential tone. A Gibson or Epiphone Les Paul through a Marshall JTM45 reissue or DSL amp with an Ibanez Tube Screamer will get you very close. The key is understanding his setup preferences like heavy strings and high action.
What made Gary Moore's 'Greeny' Les Paul so special?
Greeny was special due to its reversed neck pickup wiring, which created an 'out of phase' sound when both pickups were selected. This gave the guitar a hollow, nasal quality perfect for blues expression. The guitar's age, wear, and history also contributed to its unique character.
What effects pedals were essential to Gary Moore's sound?
Gary Moore's essential effects included the Marshall Guv'nor overdrive and Ibanez Tube Screamer models. He kept his effects chain simple, preferring to get his tone from the interaction between his guitar, amp, and minimal but high-quality effects.
The Legacy of Gary Moore's Gear
Gary Moore's equipment choices continue to influence guitarists decades after his passing in February 2011.
His approach to tone – focusing on the emotional connection between player and instrument – remains a blueprint for expressive guitar playing.
Modern players still seek out vintage Les Pauls and Marshall amps specifically because of Gary Moore's influence on guitar tone.
The prices of vintage gear he used have skyrocketed, but his real legacy lies in showing that great tone comes from understanding your equipment and playing with passion.
Whether you're playing a $200,000 vintage Les Paul or a $600 Epiphone, Gary Moore's approach to gear teaches us that tone is ultimately in the hands and heart of the player.
Hey, My name is Charles Eames, I am a designer, filmmaker, and lover of photographic arts. And I usually write about movies, Famous/Influential People. I am running this blog with my girlfriend Bernice.