Def Leppard Pyromania (1983)

(Date updated: 17/06/2024)

Recorded February-November 1982 at Battery Studios, with additional recording (guitar & vocals) at Park Gates Studios

Def Leppard Pyromania recording gear

Musicians’ gear

Drums, samplers and percussion:

Fairlight CMI Series I (or II): used for drum programming (kick & snare) by John Kongos
Simmons SDS-V electronic drum system: used for tom-tom sounds & snare enhancement
Paiste cymbals (assumed)

Guitars:

Fender Stratocaster: Steve Clark’s
Fender Telecaster: Steve Clark’s
Gibson Les Paul Standard (1975): Steve Clark’s
Gibson Les Paul Custom: Steve Clark’s
Gibson Les Paul Custom (1976): Phil Collen’s, solo on “Rock ‘Til You Drop”
Gibson Les Paul Deluxe (1966, Cherry Sunburst) /w Seymour Duncan ’59 pickups: Steve Clark’s
Gibson SG
Hamer Special (Sunburst): Steve Clark’s
Hamer custom: Steve Clark’s
Hamer Standard (one black, one sunburst, one white): Pete Willis’ main ones, likely used for rhythm guitars on all songs
Ibanez Destroyer (1980/81): Phil Collen’s, used for solos on “Foolin’”, “Rock Of Ages”, “Photograph” etc.
Ovation Balladeer: Steve Clark’s, “Foolin’”
Unknown 12-string electric – “Die Hard The Hunter”

Guitar rig:

Bass guitars:

Keyboards & synthesizers:

ARP 2500: John Kongos synth overdubs
Moog Minimoog: played by Thomas Dolby
Roland Jupiter-4: Thomas Dolby’s main synth at the time, likely used on Pyromania
Roland Jupiter-8: Thomas Dolby’s, likely used

Recording & studio equipment

Microphones:

KM84: drum sampling, possibly hi-hats & cymbals
U67: guitar amplifiers, vocals
U87: guitar amplifiers (Battery Studios and Park Gates), vocals (Park Gates)

Tape recorders: