Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains) Rig

Estimated build cost: ~$26,420 (based on current listings)

Hard Rock Alice in Chains Jerry Cantrell

Jerry Cantrell’s tone is the blueprint for grunge/alt-metal guitar: thick, mid-forward, slightly dark, with killer sustain, heavy riffing, and atmospheric leads. He blends multiple amps for a huge, layered sound and has long favored simple, battle-worn guitars with a single humbucker. His pedalboard has grown over the years into a large, complex setup, but the core elements (Cry Baby wah, graphic EQ, chorus, and talk box) have remained consistent since the Dirt era.

Note: The ~$27,000+ total reflects all listed gear options on this page (multiple guitars including signature Rampage and Wino Les Paul, Friedman + Bogner amps, full pedalboard, and multiple cabinet choices). A real-world core Jerry Cantrell-style rig can be built for significantly less (see Budget Alternatives below). Prices are current Reverb averages and fluctuate.

~$26,420 Estimated total
18 Pieces of gear
Hard Rock Genre / style
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Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains) Rig
Photo by Søren Fuglede Jørgense / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Jerry Cantrell guitars, amps and pedals

Guitars
Main G&L Guitar
G&L Tribute Series Rampage Jerry Cantrell Signature with Ebony Fretboard 2010 - 2018 - Ivory BAND SIGNED
His absolute signature and most iconic guitar (especially the original “Blue Dress” from the mid-80s with pin-up stickers and heavy wear). Single humbucker (originally Seymour Duncan JB, later custom Motor City or Fishman Fluence in newer models). He still uses multiple vintage and signature Rampages live.
Gibson Les Paul "Wino"
Gibson Custom Shop Jerry Cantrell Signature "Wino" Les Paul Custom (Signed, Aged) 2021 - 2023 - Wine Red
His wine-red Les Paul signature model (Epiphone version widely available (shown below), with limited Gibson Custom Shop runs). Used for thicker, warmer rhythms and leads.
Epiphone "Wino"
2025 Epiphone Les Paul Custom Jerry Cantrell "Wino" Electric Guitar Body & Neck Husk (Repaired)
Epiphone version of Jerry Cantrell's signature Gibson "Wino" guitar.
Gibson Flying V
2024 Gibson USA '70s Flying V Electric Guitar Classic White
Jerry is often seen playing a Gibson Flying V on stage with Alice in Chains and his Jerry Cantrell originals.
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Amplifiers

Jerry is known for blending multiple amps. While the Friedman JJ series was his main signature amp for over a decade, he has recently leaned more into his classic Bogner Fish and Shiva setups on tour.

Friedman JJ-100
Friedman JJ-100 Jerry Cantrell Signature 100-watt 2-channel Tube Head with Boost
His long-running signature amp (co-designed with Dave Friedman). Marshall-style British overdrive with excellent clarity and dynamics.
Friedman JJ Junior
Friedman JJ-Junior Jerry Cantrell Signature 2-Channel 20-Watt Guitar Amp Head 2019 - Present - Black
This is a smaller 20W version of the signature Jerry Cantrell Friedman amplifier head.
Pedalboard

Jerry runs a large, MIDI-controlled pedalboard combined with rack effects for maximum flexibility and layering. His board emphasizes midrange push, atmosphere, and dynamics rather than heavy distortion (most gain comes from the amps).

Signature Wah Pedal
Dunlop JC95 Jerry Cantrell Signature Cry Baby Wah
Get the Iconic “Man in the Box” tone.
Overdrive / Boost
MXR CSP027 Timmy Overdrive
Overdrive / Boost
Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer 2004 - Present - Green
Overdrive / Boost
Barber Direct Drive V1
EQ Pedal
Used MXR M108S 10 Band Graphic EQ Equalizer Guitar Effects Pedal!
Chorus / Modulation
Strymon OLA Chorus 2015 - Bleu
Chorus Pedal
Boss CE-5 Chorus Ensemble
Flanger Pedal
MXR EVH Flanger
Delay Pedal
Boss DD-500 Delay
Delay Pedal
Strymon TimeLine Delay 2011 - Present - Silver
Talk Box Pedal
MXR JC222FFR Jerry Cantrell Firefly Talk Box
Gate Pedal
MXR M135 SmartGate
Multiple MXR Smart Gates — Essential for keeping his high-gain setups tight and quiet.
Estimated build total ~$26,420
Rig Overview
Estimated total ~$26,420
Pieces of gear 18
Genre / style Hard Rock
Guitars 4 items
Amplifiers 2 items
Pedalboard 12 items
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