Mike Campese’s Main Gear

Get ready to dive into the world of Mike Campese’s incredible gear collection! Armed with his arsenal of finely crafted guitars, Mike effortlessly harnesses their power to create a mesmerizing sound. Whether he’s wielding a blistering electric guitar or strumming a delicate acoustic, Mike’s instrument of choice becomes an extension of his musical soul. Combined with his meticulously selected amplifiers, effects pedals, and other cutting-edge gear, Mike Campese’s sonic palette knows no bounds. Prepare to be inspired as you explore the tools that fuel his musical fire, and discover the secrets behind the breathtaking tones that have captivated audiences worldwide.

Guitars

Mike Campese, Tom Anderson, Red Grand Am Guitar.

Electric

Mike owns and has several guitars that he uses live and in the studio. His primary guitar is a Tom Anderson Grand Am – translucent red. Mike originally purchased this guitar while living in Hollywood, CA back in the day, and has been Mike’s main guitar ever since. Since this guitar is extremely rare, more recently Anderson has made Mike a newer version of this model and only brings the newer ones out on the road. Mike has a few versions of this model and several other Andersons as well.

Acoustic

Not only does Mike play electric guitar, but he also plays acoustic guitars live and in the studio. His main acoustic guitar is an Ovation 1992, Collectors Series model. Mike does have a couple of other acoustics he will use in the studio, like an Ovation 12 string and an Alvarez Yairi, classical guitar.

Amps

Mike uses Mesa Boogie amplification and he will use various Mesa Boogie amps for live and studio. His primary amp for live and studio is a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier, which is a 2 channel 1995 blackface model. Also, In the studio Mike uses a Dual Rectifier recording preamp for direct recording.

For smaller venues and also in the studio Mike will use a Mesa Boogie DC-5. For larger venues when Mike was running his wet/dry setup, Mike will use an additional power amp, the Mesa Boogie Coliseum 300 and this power amp will run the effects and additional cabinets. Currently Mike’s primary live setup and in the studio he will use a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier and a 4×12 Mesa Cab.

Mike Campese - Mesa Boogie Coliseum 300.

Cabs

Mike’s primary cabs are Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier cabinets loaded with Celestion speakers. Depending on the venue, Mike will run additional cabs. Mike still has and will add additional cabs for larger venues, a Marshall JCM 800 Lead 1960 A and B cabs 4×12 purchased back from his high school days, they are both loaded with G12-75w Celestion speakers.

Effects

Mike owns several different effects and rack gear. For live, he mainly uses a TC Electronic G-Force for his reverb, delays and chorus etc. A Furman PL-8 E Power Conditioner and a wireless unit are also in the rack.

For floor effects on Mike’s pedalboard, he uses a Vox Wah, Clyde McCoy model, a Digitech Whammy 2 Pedal, and a MXR phase 90. Mike also uses boost pedals by Xotic Effects, which mainly is the BB preamp or an EP Booster in the studio or other various pedals. For fly dates, and in more recent live shows, depending on the backline, Mike may sometimes drive the BB preamp with a Dophix Effects, a custom pedal made for him. Also, he will plug a TC Electronic Flashback delay in the loop of the amp for the fly dates.

Also, on the floor, Mike uses a Custom Audio Electronics RS10-MK2 – Midi Foot Controller to control his G-Force in the rack. The midi controller is connected to a custom midi box Bob Bradshaw made for Mike that is placed in back of the rack that is connected through midi to the G-Force unit.

There are additional floor effects Mike uses for his acoustic guitar, a MXR Dyna Comp, a Boss RC-20 looper, a TC Electronic Hall Of Fame reverb and a TC Electronic Flashback delay. Mike will sometimes mix and match these effects.

Cables

Mike uses all Mogami cables for live and studio. His primary cable is the Mogami Platinum series instrument cable and he also uses the Mogami Gold series as well.

Strings

All of Mike’s guitars are strung with D’addario strings and he has been using these strings for many years. Mike uses D’addario XL-110, 10-46 set for all of his main guitars. He also uses D’addario XL-115, 11-49 on a couple guitars. Mike’s acoustic guitar is strung with D’addario EJ-16, 12-53.