DSP Rig
Steve Howe Tone — Plugins & Amp Sims
Gibson ES-175 for jazz/fusion sections, Fender Telecaster for rock sections, acoustic guitar for classical/folk parts. The electric tone is a slightly pushed ES-175 through a clean amp — warm and chimey. Howe is a classical guitar-trained player and the classical discipline shows in his right-hand precision.
Steve Howe's signature versatile tone — built around classic amp voicings — can be replicated in the box using modern amp sim plugins and IR cab loaders. This page maps the full DSP signal chain: guitar sim → amp sim → FX → IR, so you can dial in that character without physical gear.
Full DSP Chain
Est. £627Ibanez AF75 Artcore
$507
Archetype: Plini
≈ Modern versatile amp
$253
York Audio V30 Mix Pack (IR)
≈ Celestion Vintage 30 4×12
$37
Hybrid Option
Est. £627Real guitar into a DSP amp chain — best of both worlds.
Ibanez AF75 Artcore
$507
Archetype: Plini
≈ Modern versatile amp
$253
York Audio V30 Mix Pack (IR)
≈ Celestion Vintage 30 4×12
$37
Where to Buy
Browse amp sims, IRs and FX plugins at these retailers: