John Sykes — Rig Network

Sykes's defining guitar — a black Les Paul Custom with three humbucking pickups. The Custom's ebony fretboard, longer sustain, and higher-output pickups push the Marshall harder than a Standard. He uses the bridge pickup exclusively for lead; the middle and neck positions for rhythm variety.

Various LP Standards used alongside the Custom — the Standard's slightly brighter tone provides contrast for specific songs within the Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy contexts.

The Plexi is non-negotiable for Sykes — the natural power stage saturation at performance volume provides the harmonic bloom and singing sustain his lead style requires. He runs it loud enough to push the EL34s into saturation without master-volume attenuation. The result is the warm, full-frequency Marshall tone at its best.

Used alongside the Plexi for studio work — the JCM800's preamp gain supplements the Plexi's power-stage saturation for specific tonal characteristics in the studio.

Used as a mild boost into the Marshall — the OD-1 pushes the Plexi's input harder without dramatically changing the character of the amp's own gain. Set for minimal drive with full output.

Phase 90 for atmospheric movement on slower passages and ballads — adds a subtle shimmer to sustained notes on material like 'Is This Love'.