Claudio Sanchez is the lead singer and guitarist for Coheed and Cambria, an awesome rock band, one of my favorites. He is noted for his high vocal range, often extending into an alto register in the manner of Geddy Lee, the unique enunciation of his vocals, and for his long hair with tightly-wound curls. While primarily playing rhythm during his vocals, Sanchez also plays lead, often alternating with guitarist Travis Stever in a "competitive, yet respectful guitar solo" fashion.
Let's look at what gear and equipment has been seen in Claudio Sanchez Guitar Rig.
Click the gear images for more info and specs at Guitar Center and Amazon
Guitars
- Fender MIJ Stratocaster in Ebony with Maple Fretboard
- Fender JazzMaster (Bonus DVD in the Coheed & Cambria "Good Apollo" special edition DVD)
- Gibson EDS-1275 Doubleneck SG in Alpine White ( used to have EMG-81/85 in 6-string, EMG-85/60 in 12-string, but now has Duncan JB in Bridge and stock pickups in neck)
- Gibson EDS-1275 Doubleneck SG in Cherry Red, kept stock (Welcome Home video)
- Gibson '76 Explorer Reissue in Classic White with EMG-81/85 pick-ups, a Graph-Tech nut and Black Schaller tuners (With a Puerto Rican flag sticker behind the tailpiece)
- Gibson '76 Explorer Reissue in Classic White, kept stock (The Running Free video)
- Gibson '76 Explorer Reissue in Ebony with EMG-81/85 pick-ups
- Gibson '76 Explorer Reissue in Cherry Red, kept stock
- Gibson '82 Explorer E2 in Natural Walnut/Maple 5 Piece Contoured Body/Neck with EMG-81/85 pick-ups, a Graph-Tech nut, and Gold Schallers with Black tuners and was made the same day his brother was born
- Gibson Explorer E2 (1980. Bare Knuckle Nailbomb pickup)
- Minarik Medusa Custom in Cherry Red, kept stock
- Minarik Medusa Custom in Alpine White
Below is a pic of the medusa as requested by user Bob:
- Gibson SG Special in Faded Worn-Cherry, kept stock (Guitar World Magazine)
- Gibson Les Paul Studio in Alpine White, kept stock
- Gibson '67 Flying V Reissue in Classic White, kept stock (A Favor House Atlantic video/Good Apollo Special Edition CD in studio)
- Gibson SG Special in Classic White with chrome hardware (With a Puerto Rican flag sticker behind the tailpiece. Early SSTB era)
- Fender American made Telecaster
- Gibson Explorer (silverburst, baritone)
- Martin HD-28 acoustic (Fishman electronics)
- Taylor GS8 acoustic guitars
- Taylor T5 Custom Acoustic/Electric in Spruce Top w/ Cherry Sunburst
- Taylor 814-CE Acoustic/Electric in Honey Sunburst with Natural back and sides
- Ovation S771 Balladeer Special Acoustic/Electric (Live at Starland Ballroom)
- 1981 Ibanez Musician guitar
- Bareknuckle guitar pickups
Amps
- Bogner Uberschall 100W Head w/ Standard Grill
- Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier 150W Solo amplifier Head
- '74 GRO100 Orange Head (Black Covering)
- Mesa/Boogie Rect-o-verb 50W Combo Amp (studio usage)
- VOX AC30CC2X Combo Amp
- Fender '65 Twin Reverb Combo Amplifier
- Orange OR50 head (seen in 2009)
- Matrix Power amp (powers cabinet on stage)
Cabinets
- Mesa/Boogie Rectifier Oversized 4x12's guitar cabinet
- Bogner Uberschall 4x12's guitar cabinet
- Marshall 1960A 4x12 guitar cabinet
- Orange 4x12 Cabinet
Effects
Note: As of late (2013), Claudio has been using the AXE-FX and ground control with much less pedals than he used in the past.
- Fractal Audio Axe-FX Ultra
- Mission EP-1 expression pedals (x2)
- Mission TT (pedal used for tap tempo)
- Voodoo Lab Ground Control
- Boss LS-2 Line Selector (to select between the Bogner and Vox/Fender)
- Boss NS-2
- Boss RC-20XL (used live for a bit, now used for songwriting)
- Boss RT-20 (used for practice/songwriting)
- Boss SD-1
- Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive Overdrive/Boost
- Morley Bad Horsie 2 Wah (as described in 2008 interview)
- Dunlop 535Q CryBaby Wah and/or Dunlop Dime wah
- DigiTech Whammy Pedal
- Line 6 DL-4 Digital Delay
- Line 6 FM-4 Filter Modeler
- Ernie Ball VP Junior Passive Volume Pedal
- Boss TU-2 Chromatic Tuner pedal
- Electro Harmonix Holy Grail
- Theremin
- Mission Engineering Expression pedals (x2) and Tap Tempo
- Whirlwind Multi Selector
- Audio Technica 5000 series Wireless
- Voodoo Lab ISO 5 Power
- BSS Audio AR-133 Active DI Box
In 2010 some new pedals were noticed in Claudio's rig:
- MXR M-118 analog delay
- The Great Destroyer by Dwarfcraft
- Interstellar OD by Death by Audio
Strings and Picks
- Custom DR's (heavy bottom, lighter top)
- DR DDT's 10-52 (on the detuned guitars)
- .73 Dunlop Tortex picks with custom printing
- DR 11-50 medium light gauge acoustic strings
- Everly Strings: 9210 B-52 Medium Rockers (except acoustic)
Go to the next page to see pics of Claudio's gear.
The following pictures were taken by Frecko, who has graciously given us permission to use them on UberProAudio. The pictures are of Claudio Sanchez's Coheed and Cambria pedalboard.
Click the images to enlarge them in a shadowbox.
