I was watchin a german live performance of Violet Hill, and I noticed how distinct johnnys guitar sounded. Like an overdrive with maybe an octave pedal? Im not sure, anyone know?

I've seen it mentioned that he's using a Sobbat Drive Breaker for Violet Hill, no idea if that's true though.

 

Though, I'm also sure some of the unique tonality has to do with the use of the Les Paul as well (it's one of the old LP Deluxe's with mini-humbuckers like Andy Dunlop from Travis plays)

its definitely a harmonizer, i know that much

Based on Jonny's effects usage in other songs, it's most likely several effects mixed together.

 

He seems to have added a lot of rack mounted units to his rig, so it could be something there as well.

 

I still think the general "heavyness" in the sound comes more from the natural tonal characteristics of the LP than any effects.

i posted a thread about his gear earlier and i got this info from another site, seems to be an updated pic of his board.

 

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2037891

Cool! Thanks for the link.

 

So... from the looks of that rack he has 2 tc delays and what looks to be 2 Mod Echo Pros (judging by the color). Is the big grey unit at the bottom a compressor? It looks similar to some I've seen in other racks...

 

From the pedals it's clear he's not using the Space Echo after all... Aside from that he looks to have only added the expression pedals and the ocd.

 

Can anyone positively identify all the gear in the new rig?

I've been listning to the live recordings of Violet Hill Again and it sounds to me as though the OCD is the main source of distortion (though it could be the HBE as well) It's almost certainly neither the RAT or the Tubescreamer.

 

The POG could also be in there, but I can't hear an octive pedal consistantly, perhaps it goes in and out?