Guitar tone · rock

Alice Cooper guitar tone: gear & amp settings

The gear and amp settings behind 11 Alice Cooper songs, researched from rig rundowns, interviews and gear forums. The rig that shows up most: Ibanez Jiva X into Marshall JCM800 2203 head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (Celestion speakers, likely Greenbacks or G12-75s).

Guitars Alice Cooper used

Ibanez Jiva X2 songs
Kane Roberts custom-built BC Rich Warlock (mid-80s, likely with Floyd Rose tremolo)1 song
Gibson Les Paul Standard (Hunterburst, Steve Hunter's guitar on the recording)1 song
Gibson SG Standard1 song
Kramer Baretta (likely, as used by John McCurry on 'Poison' studio recording)1 song
Gibson Les Paul Custom1 song
Gibson SG Standard (early 1970s, likely 1971-1972, Glen Buxton or Michael Bruce)1 song
Kramer Baretta (likely, based on era/session players and genre; no direct source confirms exact model for this solo)1 song

Amps Alice Cooper used

Marshall JCM800 2203 head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (Celestion speakers, likely Greenbacks or G12-75s)1 song
Marshall amplifier (exact model not specified, likely a Plexi or Super Lead, as used in early 1970s rock sessions)1 song
Marshall Plexi (likely 1959 Super Lead)1 song
Marshall JCM800 2203 (likely, as used for 80s hard rock studio tones and by session players on 'Trash')1 song
Marshall amplifier (likely Marshall Super Lead or JMP, era-appropriate for mid-1970s Alice Cooper studio recordings)1 song
Marshall JVM410H1 song
Marshall Plexi 1959 Super Lead with Marshall 4x12 cabinet (Basketweave, Pre-Rola speakers)1 song
Marshall JCM800 (likely, based on genre, era, and session player usage; no direct source confirms exact amp for this solo)1 song

13 Alice Cooper tones

Song	Part	Guitar	Amp	Gain
Spark In the Dark · riff	Riff · distorted	Ibanez Jiva X	Peavey VTM-120	7.5
Billion Dollar Babies · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (Hunterburst, Steve Hunter's guitar on the recording)	Marshall amplifier (exact model not specified, likely a Plexi or Super Lead, as used in early 1970s rock sessions)	7.5
Caught In a Dream · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson SG Standard	Marshall Plexi (likely 1959 Super Lead)	5.5
Freedom · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Custom (likely, based on era and Alice Cooper band gear in late 1980s)	Marshall JCM800 (likely, based on era, genre, and Alice Cooper band studio/live rig in late 1980s)	7
Hell Is Living Without You · solo	Solo · distorted	Kramer Baretta (likely, based on era/session players and genre; no direct source confirms exact model for this solo)	Marshall JCM800 (likely, based on genre, era, and session player usage; no direct source confirms exact amp for this solo)	7.5
No More Mr. Nice Guy · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson SG Standard (early 1970s, likely 1972-73, as used by Michael Bruce and Glen Buxton in studio)	Marshall Plexi Super Lead 1959 (100W, likely with 4x12 cabinet, as typical for early 70s Alice Cooper studio recordings)	6
Poison · riff	Riff · distorted	Kramer Baretta (likely, as used by John McCurry on 'Poison' studio recording)	Marshall JCM800 2203 (likely, as used for 80s hard rock studio tones and by session players on 'Trash')	7.5
Poison · solo	Solo · distorted	Kramer NightSwan (John McCurry's main guitar for 'Poison' solo)	Marshall JCM 800 2203 head	7.5
School's Out · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson SG Standard (early 1970s, likely 1971-1972, Glen Buxton or Michael Bruce)	Marshall Plexi 1959 Super Lead with Marshall 4x12 cabinet (Basketweave, Pre-Rola speakers)	5.5
Teenage Frankenstein · solo	Solo · distorted	Kane Roberts custom-built BC Rich Warlock (mid-80s, likely with Floyd Rose tremolo)	Marshall JCM800 2203 head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (Celestion speakers, likely Greenbacks or G12-75s)	7.5
Teenage Frankenstein · riff	Riff · distorted	Kramer Baretta (likely, Kane Roberts signature or similar, as used on Constrictor album sessions)	Marshall JCM800 2203 (likely, based on era, genre, and Kane Roberts' known gear for Constrictor sessions)	7.5
The Black Widow · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Custom	Marshall amplifier (likely Marshall Super Lead or JMP, era-appropriate for mid-1970s Alice Cooper studio recordings)	6.5
Welcome to the Show · riff	Riff · distorted	Ibanez Jiva X	Marshall JVM410H	7

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Frequently asked questions

What amp did Alice Cooper use?

Across 11 researched songs, the amps that come up most are Marshall JCM800 2203 head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (Celestion speakers, likely Greenbacks or G12-75s) (1 song), Marshall amplifier (exact model not specified, likely a Plexi or Super Lead, as used in early 1970s rock sessions) (1 song), Marshall Plexi (likely 1959 Super Lead) (1 song), Marshall JCM800 2203 (likely, as used for 80s hard rock studio tones and by session players on 'Trash') (1 song).

What guitar did Alice Cooper use?

Most often: Ibanez Jiva X (2 songs), Kane Roberts custom-built BC Rich Warlock (mid-80s, likely with Floyd Rose tremolo) (1 song), Gibson Les Paul Standard (Hunterburst, Steve Hunter's guitar on the recording) (1 song), Gibson SG Standard (1 song).

How do I get Alice Cooper's tone on my amp?

Open any Alice Cooper song below to see the original gear and settings, then use ToneAdapt to adapt them to your own guitar, amp, pickups and pedals.