Andy Summers's Pedalboard
The Police guitarist Andy Summers created a completely unique guitar sound with sparse, effects-heavy playing. His use of chorus, delay, and compression turned simple chord voicings into shimmering, atmospheric textures that influenced generations of guitarists.
Signature Sound
Shimmering clean tones with heavy chorus and compression. Sparse, jazzy chord voicings drenched in modulation and delay.
Famous Songs
Every Pedal on the Board
Our Pick — Affordable Alternative
“Summers' chorus came from the amp — CE-5 recreates that Boss-style chorus”
Our Pick — Affordable Alternative
“Heavy compression for that squeezed, sustained clean tone”
Our Pick — Affordable Alternative
“Flanger for the shimmering texture on 'Walking on the Moon'”
Our Pick — Affordable Alternative
“Rhythmic delay patterns — DD-7 continues the Boss delay tradition”
Our Pick — Affordable Alternative
MXR Phase 90
$89
“Subtle phasing adding movement to clean chord work”
Total Rig Cost (affordable alternatives)
$545
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Frequently Asked Questions
What pedals does Andy Summers use?
Andy Summers is known for using Roland Jazz Chorus (built-in chorus), MXR Dyna Comp, EHX Electric Mistress Flanger, Boss DD-2 Delay, among others. See the full breakdown above with affordable alternatives.
How much does Andy Summers's pedalboard cost to recreate?
Recreating Andy Summers's rig with affordable alternatives costs around $545. The original pedals — especially vintage or signature models — can cost significantly more.
Can I get Andy Summers's tone on a budget?
Yes — each pedal above includes an affordable "Our Pick" alternative that captures the essential character of Andy Summers's sound. Focus on the 2-3 most important pedals first.
What amp does Andy Summers use?
Andy Summers's amp is a crucial part of their tone. While we focus on pedals here, check our signal chain guide for how pedal order affects your amp interaction.