In the world of music, there are artists who achieve a level of mastery that transcends the boundaries of their instruments. One such luminary is Andy Summers, the visionary guitarist who gained worldwide fame as a member of The Police.
Renowned not only for his skillful playing but also for his innovative use of effects pedals, Summers carved out a distinctive sonic landscape that continues to captivate and inspire musicians and fans alike.
The unique sound of Andy Summers
Formed in 1977, The Police was a rock band that brought together the talents of Sting (bass and vocals), Stewart Copeland (drums), and Andy Summers (guitar). Their music blended rock, punk, reggae, and new wave influences, creating a sound that was as unique as it was infectious. At the heart of this distinctive sound lay Andy Summers’ guitar work, which was characterized by intricate arpeggios, jangly rhythms, and an extensive use of effects pedals. Effects Pedals: Shaping Summers’ Sonic Palette
Andy’s amps
Andy started playing on a Fender Twin Reverb amp and later switched to a duo of Marshall JMP amp. Those amps either could be the 1959 Super Lead, or 1992 Super Bass. The Super Bass was initially designed for bass players, they had slightly less gain and were smoother sounding than their Lead counter-parts. The amp he also used during a period of his professional career was a Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus. It contributed significantly to Summers’ sound. Its distinctive chorus effect and clean tones became synonymous with The Police’s sound, providing a lush and spacious backdrop for Summers’ intricate guitar work.
Creative use of effects pedals
Andy Summers’ exploration of effects pedals was integral to crafting his signature sound. The combination of his technical prowess and creative use of effects elevated his guitar playing to a new level. At the very beginning, Andy Summers’ rig was rather sparse.
To Guitar Player magazine he revealed: “I had simple tools: a Telecaster, a Fender Twin, and maybe an MXR Phase 90. The next thing I got was a chorus, and that, along with the Echoplex, became very characteristic of the Police sound. I probably got up to four pedals taped to the floor before I could afford a custom Pete Cornish pedalboard with a MuTron, a couple of fuzz boxes, an envelope filter, chorus units, and phasers, all of which I’d combine with the Echoplex.”
Andy Summers Effects Pedals
MXR Phase 90
The MXR Phase 90 phaser pedal added a swirling, psychedelic quality to Summers’ sound. Used subtly, it created a sense of movement in his arpeggios and chord progressions, contributing to the band’s distinctive reggae-infused rock sound.
Electro Harmonix Electric Mistress Flanger/Filtermatrix
The EHX Electric Mistress pedal brought a unique dimension to Summers’ sound. The swirling, jet-like flanger effect added depth and complexity to his guitar lines, while the filter matrix produced resonant and otherworldly tones. Recently EHX introduces a signature pedal called Electro Harmonix Walking on the Moon.
Ibanez AD-202 analog delay
Summers’ use of analog delay was a hallmark of his playing. The Ibanez AD-202 added a spacious, ambient quality to his sound, creating a sense of sonic exploration and depth in his compositions.
Boss CE-1 Chorus
Another chorus pedal that Summers utilized was the Boss CE-1. Known for its lush, rich chorus effect, it contributed to the dreamy, ethereal textures that characterized many of The Police’s songs.
MXR Dyna Comp
The MXR Dyna Comp wasn’t the first compressor pedal on the market, but it was the first to be embraced by a wide variety of professional players. The effect’s distinctive “squish” gave character to Andy Summers’ percussive chords, heard to great effect on the Police’s Walking on the Moon.
Echoplex EP-2
Not really an effects pedal but it played a big role in shaping the iconic Police sound. The Echoplex added another dimension to the band’s sound in terms of the largeness and scale of the sound. Andy’s signature setting of the effect was to play eighth notes and get 16th notes to repeat. The Catalinbread Belle Epoch is a modern pedal based on an Echoplex (EP-3).
Impact and Legacy
Andy Summers’ innovative use of effects pedals left an indelible mark on the world of guitar playing and modern music as a whole. His ability to seamlessly blend various effects into his playing created a dynamic and captivating sonic experience that influenced countless musicians. Beyond his work with The Police, Summers’ solo projects and collaborations continued to showcase his adventurous spirit and commitment to pushing the boundaries of sound.
Conclusion
The effects pedals that Andy Summers used were not just tools to modify his guitar sound; they were instruments of sonic exploration that helped shape an era of music. Through his creative and skillful use of effects, Summers transformed the guitar into a vehicle for evocative storytelling and emotional expression. His legacy lives on through his music, inspiring generations of guitarists to experiment, innovate, and create their own unique sonic landscapes.
Sources
http://watersish.com/archives/2015/05/andy-summers-rig-the-police-years.html
https://www.guitarworld.com/features/mxr-dyna-comp-compressor-pedal