Sound Like Eric Gales
Eric Gales stands as one of blues's most enduring tonal references — soulful and deeply expressive by nature and endlessly studied. Eric Gales plays a right-handed guitar upside-down and left-handed — following the Hendrix tradition — with a raw, aggressive blues vocabulary that places him among the most emotionally devastating blues guitarists of his generation. These complete rig guides at four budget levels show exactly what gear it takes to get there.
Budget Comparison
Pick Your Budget Level
£200 · Beginner
~£178
- OverdriveJoyo Vintage Overdrive
- AmpBoss Katana 50 MkII
£500 · Sweet Spot
~£477
- GuitarSquier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster
- OverdriveJoyo Vintage Overdrive
- AmpBoss Katana 50 MkII
£1,000 · Pro-Level
~£996
- GuitarSquier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster
- WahDunlop GCB95 Cry Baby Wah
- OverdriveFulltone OCD Overdrive
- AmpMarshall DSL20CR
£2,500 · Premium
~£2495
- GuitarFender Player Stratocaster
- WahWilson Effects MkII Wah
- OverdriveKing Tone Duellist OD
- FuzzAnalogman Sun Face NKT Fuzz
- AmpMarshall DSL40CR
Tone Profile
Eric Gales's Sound
Fender Stratocaster (played upside down, strung for left-hand) into a Fender or Marshall amp at moderate to high gain. The tone is aggressive and raw — not polished. The upside-down string configuration means the bass strings are closest to the floor, which some believe contributes to the unique string bending character.
Tone Match
Closest Real-World Tone Match
If you like Eric Gales's tone, these players use a similar approach — same gear philosophy, comparable sound characteristics.