Nuno Bettencourt — Rig Network

The signature Nuno Bettencourt N4 — his principal and most recognisable guitar. Mahogany body with a maple neck and ebony fretboard, DiMarzio bridge humbucker, single-coil in the neck position. The N4's construction prioritises midrange warmth and attack definition over brightness.

Unique to this artist in the database

Eight-string version built to explore extended range — used on specific studio tracks requiring lower register material. The N8 maintains the N4's body shape and construction philosophy.

Unique to this artist in the database

Earlier signature model before the N4 was finalised — used through the early Extreme recordings. Similar mahogany construction but with different hardware and pickup specification.

Unique to this artist in the database

The JCM800 is Nuno's primary amp — its tight, compressed gain character suits the percussive funk-metal rhythm work as well as the sustaining lead lines. He uses it at moderate gain to retain note articulation for fast tapping passages.

Used in later Extreme touring rigs alongside or in place of the Marshall — the TriAmp's three independent gain channels allow clean/crunch/lead switching within the Extreme set.

Unique to this artist in the database

Vintage Marshall Super Lead used during early Extreme years before the JCM800 became primary — the Plexi's warmer, less compressed gain appears on Extreme's debut and some Pornograffitti sessions.

Wah for lead expression and funk rhythm comping — Nuno uses it both in the Hendrix tradition of expressive voice-shaping and in the more rhythmically precise funk context of 'Get the Funk Out'.

Delay for lead passages — set for moderate single repeat, not washed. Nuno uses delay for dimension rather than the cascading repeats of classic rock delay.

Flanger for jet-sweep modulation on specific rhythm passages — adds the metallic, swooping quality to sustained chords.

Early boost/distortion pedal used before the Marshall-centric approach became dominant — the DS-1 adds defined, compressed overdrive for specific passages.