Pete Townshend
The Who
The Windmill. Power chords, feedback, and destruction. He pioneered the use of Marshall stacks and Hiwatt amps to create the loudest, most aggressive rhythm sound in rock.
SIGNATURE TONE
Windmilling aggression. A P90 or Humbucker guitar hitting a Hiwatt stack with massive headroom, creating a percussive, piano-like clarity that explodes into feedback.
SIGNAL CHAINS BY ERA
Explore how the rig evolved over time
Early Who / My Generation Era (1964-1968)
Maximum R&B. Rickenbackers smashing into Marshalls, creating the first true feedback-laden rock sound.
Tommy / Live at Leeds Era (1968-1973)
The definitive power trio tone. Gibson SGs and Hiwatt stacks creating a tight, punchy, percussive roar.
Quadrophenia / Numbered Les Pauls Era (1973-1979)
Heavy and numbered. Les Paul Deluxes modified with extra DiMarzio pickups, numbered 1-9 for rotation.
Modern / Strat Era (1989-Present)
Refined power. Eric Clapton Signature Stratocasters with piezo systems into Fender Vibro-Kings.