Rig Builder
Budget Rig Breakdown
Signal Chain
Essentials
Complete Your Rig
The accessories every serious guitarist needs — cables, strings, and the rest.
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Strings (10-46)
Standard for most electric styles — bright, responsive, and widely used by touring professionals.
Planet Waves American Stage Guitar Cable 10ft
Solderless ends and lifetime warranty. The cable most session guitarists trust.
Dunlop Jazz III Pick (Pack of 6)
The most-used pick among serious players — precision tip improves articulation and speed.
Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner Pedal
The professional standard for live tuning. True bypass, powers other pedals, ultra-accurate.
Levy's M8 Guitar Strap
Quality leather strap used by touring guitarists. Genuine comfort for 3-hour sets.
Technique
Key Tone Tips
- Use the neck pickup or middle position for the characteristic jangly chime
- Set the AC30's Top Boost controls — treble around 6, bass around 4 for clean sparkle
- Let the amp do the work — Turner rarely uses heavy overdrive pedals
- Spring reverb from the amp adds depth; keep it moderate to stay present in the mix
- For later Arctic Monkeys tones, add light tremolo and a touch of tape delay
Background
About Alex Turner's Sound
Alex Turner built Arctic Monkeys from angular Sheffield garage rock to sophisticated psych-lounge. His Rickenbacker 330 and Fender Jazzmaster through a Vox AC30 produce the chimey, British jangle at the heart of every era — from 'R U Mine?' to 'Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino'.