In a hurry?  

After a quick rundown of Noel Gallagher’s gear? This table has all the essentials he’s used over the years.  

How to sound like Oasis 

This list includes a tonne of gear, a lot of which you probably won’t be able to get your hands on due to the massively high price tag and/or vintage rarity.

However, there are plenty of alternatives out there to help you sound like Oasis. From semi-hollows and the mighty AC30 to a happy helping of Boss pedals, there’s more than one way to steal that glorious Gallagher tone. 

Click the button below to see our top picks for Oasis-esque gear.

Noel Gallagher’s guitars    

1. Epiphone Sheraton “Union Jack”  

The “Union Jack” Sheraton simply screams Oasis. It’s the epitome of Britpop with its out-there finish, and it’s one that fans have come to associate with Noel Gallagher.  

Meg Matthews, Gallagher’s girlfriend at the time, allegedly gifted him this one. It’s likely to have originally been a 1993 Epiphone from the “Nashville USA Collection” with a sunburst finish until it had its Britpop makeover. You can get your own Sunburst Sheraton for a taste of that Gallagher sound. 

While the origins of this guitar aren’t set in stone, we can say for sure that Gallagher has been seen playing a “Union Jack” Sheraton on numerous occasions, notably on Top of the Pops and at Maine Road in 1996.  

2. 1983 Epiphone Riviera  

Noel Gallagher and Bonehead each bought an Epiphone from Roadhouse Music Store in Manchester back in the day, with Gallagher’s finished in Wine Red. The purchase was based entirely on their shared love of The Beatles, known for their use of Epiphone Casinos.  

In his interview with The Pedal Show, Gallagher says that all rhythm parts of (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? were written on the Riviera. This guitar is so iconic that Epiphone even created a Gallagher Signature Riviera. Alongside its heavy use in the early days of Oasis, it also made its mark in the “Don’t Look Back in Anger” music video.  

3. 1960 Gibson ES-355  

This 335 is one of Gallagher’s favourites – so much so that he used it on every Oasis track from 1996 onwards. The story goes that this beauty first entered Gallagher’s hands when a dealer brought it to rehearsal – after feeling the thinness of the neck, he purchased it on the spot, as you do.  

Gallagher’s 335 became so iconic that Gibson released a signature version of it, with only 200 produced worldwide. These came with all the bells and whistles: a handwritten lyric sheet replica, a hand-signed certificate of authenticity, and a custom Bear strap.

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4. Gibson SJ-200  

SJ-200s are a huge part of Gallagher’s acoustic tone. They’re loud enough to match the high energy of Oasis and can be seen in the background of the “Wonderwall” music video.  

The Epiphone J-200 is an affordable entry point into Jumbos, giving you a good feel for their size and sound. The Gibson SJ-200, on the other hand, gives you a Jumbo model that’s more accurate to the one Gallagher uses – the natural finish also matches the one seen in the video.  

5. 1953 Gibson Les Paul (1960 Conversion) 

The first of many Johnny Marr guitars that have been passed to Noel Gallagher, the ’53 Gibson Les Paul was gifted sometime in early 1994. It was the first Les Paul Gallagher witnessed in person, and upon seeing it, he made a quick cup of tea and wrote “Slide Away” in the space of 20 minutes. 

This Les Paul’s lineage doesn’t just go back to Johnny Marr; the guitar also belonged to Pete Townshend of The Who and Joe Walsh of The Eagles before that. What’s more, before it became a burst, it was a Goldtop.  

An altercation at a Newcastle gig in 1994 infamously resulted in damage to the guitar when someone invaded the stage… and Noel retaliated with the guitar.  

When Gallagher took the guitar to get repaired by a luthier in New York, it was revealed that the neck didn’t actually belong to it. He assumed that at some point Townshend had smashed it up, resulting in what he described as a “Frankenstein of a guitar.”  

6. 1978 Gibson Les Paul Custom 

Following the damage done to the first Marr Les Paul, Gallagher asked for a replacement guitar to finish the tour. The 1978 Gibson Les Paul Custom was used on The Queen Is Dead, and Marr thought it suitable for Gallagher to use, given its heavier weight and sound. He also thought it’d fare better if needed for self-defence on stage.  

On 24th February 2024, the Gibson Garage opened its doors, offering 20 signed models based on this guitar, which were only available to visitors of the Garage. The profits went to the Teenage Cancer Trust charity.

A couple of similar guitars get you close to the heavy, hard-hitting tone and aesthetic of the original. First is the Epiphone Les Paul Inspired by Gibson, offering an affordable vintage Les Paul experience. Second, the Gibson Les Paul Custom lets you go full throttle with heavy humbucking pickups and elegant hardware features.  

7. 1965 Fender Stratocaster  

Another ex-Marr guitar, the 1965 Fender Strat was used on “Wonderwall” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger”. It’s never been used live; if anything, this guitar was used for experimental purposes by Gallagher. Before this, he hadn’t owned a Strat nor played anything with single coils at all.  

8. Takamine FP 460 SC  

While it may not be the “Wonderwall” guitar, this Takamine was used at the Oasis MTV unplugged performance, marking an epic moment in music history. Takamine offer a range of great acoustics that can that certainly hold their own when it comes to delivering jangly Britpop tones.  

9. 1967 Gibson Firebird III Non-Reverse

Noel Gallagher was first seen with the 1967 Gibson Firebird III Non-Reverse in an early Oasis TV appearance on Top of the Pops. It’s also famously seen in the music video of “Cigarettes and Alcohol”. He modified the guitar in 1994, installing Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates pickups, making it the perfect weapon for unleashing solos with plenty of sustain.  

In 1999, the Firebird was sold to New Kings Road Vintage Guitar Emporium in London. After passing through the hands of guitar collector Dave Brewis, it was purchased by Gods Own Guitars in 2002, making it available for hire!

10. 1980 Fender “Pink Paisley” Telecaster  

Noel Gallagher’s 1980 Fender “Pink Paisley” Tele is one of his flashier guitars, used during the Familiar to Millions live performance at Wembley in 2000. It features prominently on “Go Let It Out,” “Wonderwall,” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger.” 

Originally introduced in 1968 as a psychedelic “Summer of Love” Fender design, Gallagher’s model is believed to be a Japanese reissue from the 1980s. He swapped out the original pickups for Seymour Duncan Antiquities, making it his go-to single-coil guitar during the Standing on the Shoulder of Giants era and the Brotherly Love tour.  

11. 1997 Gibson Les Paul Florentine, Silver Sparkle 

Gallagher’s Silver Sparkle Gibson Les Paul Florentine was made specifically for him by Gibson’s Custom Shop. He used it extensively during the Be Here Now sessions and tour. With its semi-hollow body and sparkling silver finish, it possesses the sound and style a Gallagher Gibson needs. 

Gallagher claimed it to be “the best guitar in the world,” going the extra mile when everything is pushed to its limits. Adorned with a “U” Underworld sticker, this Les Paul became one of his most recognisable guitars. In 2024, it sold at auction for £226,000, elevating it to celebrity status.  

Noel’s amps   

1. Watkins WEM Dominator MK III 

Noel Gallagher’s Watkins WEM Dominator MK III was a key part of his early live rig, paired with a Marshall 8080. This 15-watt valve amp helped shape the sound of Definitely Maybe and remained in use through to Knebworth in 1996. It was later replaced by an Orange OR-120. The Orange Super Crush 100 Head offers the gritty valve-like tone you’ll need if you want to replicate the sound.

2. Vox AC30 

The Vox AC30 was used during the early days of Oasis and resurfaced during High Flying Birds. Though rarely associated with Oasis recordings, Gallagher confirmed in 2024 that it featured during the Definitely Maybe sessions at Monnow Valley. While later replaced by Marshalls and WEMs, the AC30 is a classic that can’t be overlooked.  

3. Marshall Valvestate 80V Model 8080 

The Marshall Valvestate 80V 8080 was used throughout the recording of Definitely Maybe, paired with a WEM Dominator. This budget amp was also part of his live setup until mid-1994 when he upgraded to a JCM900.  

When it comes to gritty British indie rock and Britpop, you don’t need the techiest high-end gear in the world – the Marshall 8080 does just fine. You can get similar tube-inspired tones with the Marshall JCM 800 Amp series pedal, all in a nifty pedalboard-friendly unit.  

While tube purists might look down on this nifty bit of gear, if it’s good enough for Gallagher, it’s good enough for most!  

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Noel’s pedals  

1. Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer 

Gallagher began using the Ibanez Tube Screamer TS-808 around 2000, favouring an original late-’70s model. Previously relying solely on amp gain, he turned to the TS-808 for solo boosts, often paired with a Boss Digital Delay. Its smooth overdrive became a key part of his lead tone during the later Oasis years and well into his solo career. 

2. Pete Cornish Soft Sustain 2 

The Pete Cornish SS-2 pedal was used live in the late ’90s to boost Gallagher’s solos, favouring its smooth, amp-like overdrive. Though never used in the studio, it became a key part of his stage tone. The Fulltone OCD V2 overdrive gives you a modern equivalent that’ll have your solos screaming.  

3. Boss PN-2 Tremolo/Pan  

The Boss PN-2 Tremolo/Pan was used live for “Little by Little”, matching the song’s studio tremolo effect. While it’s unclear if it was used on the original recording, the PN-2 is another classic pedal of the ‘90s, really adding to that dynamic Britpop sound. Gallagher sets the rate to max, depth around 3 o’clock, and selects the first tremolo mode. 

4. DigiTech Whammy Pitch-Shifting pedal  

The mighty DigiTech Whammy pedal was used for the soaring pitch-shifted solo at the end of “The Shock of the Lightning.” It was notably featured during the band’s 2008 Wembley performance. This beastly Whammy added a dramatic, harmonised edge to Gallagher’s tone. 

The V847 Wah Wah pedal will add just as much expression to your solos, whether that’s to round off a track like Gallagher or to kick into a solo midway through!  

5. Roland RE-201 Space Echo 

Noel Gallagher’s only effect on Definitely Maybe was the Roland RE-201 Space Echo. Used with the preamp cranked, it added depth and texture to his raw amp tones from the WEM Dominator and Marshall 8080. 

This iconic tape delay became a defining element of Oasis’s debut sound – straightforward, analogue, and powerful. It’s a pedal rooted in the ‘90s. There’s also the more compact Boss RE-2 Space Echo, if you’re looking to save more space on your board.  

FAQs  

What is the best guitar for Oasis songs?  

The best guitars to play Oasis songs are semi-hollow guitars. Models like the ES-335 offer that thick, full-bodied sound and the power you’ll need to handle driven rhythm parts. Alternatively, you can use an acoustic guitar to capture the essential songwriting talent of the band.  

Why does Noel Gallagher play Epiphone?  

Noel Gallagher was inspired by The Beatles to play Epiphone guitars. Seeing The Beatles use models like the Casino made him pick up the Riviera and the Sheraton. Epiphone guitars look good, sound good, and feel good. There’s not much more you could want from a guitar.  

Does Noel Gallagher use a pick?  

Noel Gallagher uses a pick, namely Dunlop picks, such as the Tortex standard 0.73mm, which was found in one of Gallagher’s practice guitar cases backstage. 

Final thoughts 

With the Oasis tour underway, there’s no better time to dive in and explore Noel Gallagher’s tone – one that’s shaped the soundscape of the past 30 years. Hopefully, this article has given you all the gear inspiration you need to spruce up your rig with a bit of Britpop chime.  

Whether you’re after the overdriven power heard in tracks like “Cigarettes and Alcohol” or the more delicate sound of “Half the World Away,” Noel Gallagher’s guitars, pedals, and amps listed in this article offer something for every Oasis fan.