Peter Gabriel 3 (Melt) equipment

This album is Peter Gabriel's third self-titled album, released in May 1980. It is sometimes referred to as Melt to distinguish it from the three other albums which are also self-titled. It was produced by Steve Lillywhite and engineered by Hugh Padgham.

Most of 1979 was spent working on Melt, although Peter took time off to prepare for the Reading Festival in July-August 1979. The first half of the year was spent writing and demoing songs for the album, and the first album where Peter took a 'rhythm-first' approach with the aid of a pAiA programmable drum machine. Following this, recording work began during Summer/Autumn of 1979. The Manor Mobile was hired for recordings done at Peter's Ashcombe House, after which they moved to The Townhouse for further recording work and completion.

Peter Gabriel
Instruments
 * Fairlight CMI Series I
 * Moog Polymoog 203a (possibly)
 * Sequential Circuits Prophet-5
 * Yamaha CP-70

Drum machines
 * pAiA Programmable Drum Set - "Biko", "No Self Control"
 * Roland CR-78 CompuRhythm - "Games Without Frontiers"

Effects
 * Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus - on Yamaha CP-70, close-miked

Sources: various, Hugh Padgham Produce Like A Pro interview

Larry Fast
Instruments Outboard & misc.
 * Fairlight CMI Series I
 * Moog Minimoog Model D
 * Moog Polymoog 203a - wasn't used much
 * Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 rev 1
 * Oberheim DS-2 digital sequencer
 * Misc. synth modules
 * pAiA 8700
 * Eventide H910 Harmonizer
 * MuTron BiPhase dual phase shifter
 * 360 Systems frequency shifter
 * $9.95 Radio Shack amplifier

Note: some Roland synths were also lent to Larry during the sessions as he had trouble shipping all his gear over, but he barely needed the Rolands.

Sources:
 * Sound International, December 1979
 * Larry Fast photos of rig

Tony Levin
Tony used the following on "I Don't Remember":
 * Chapman stick
 * MXR CSP-026 Phase 90 phaser

David Rhodes
Guitars
 * 1963 Fender Jazzmaster
 * Ovation

Amplifiers
 * Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus

Effects
 * Eurotec Black Box (e.g. "No Self Control")

Sources: Guitar Player, September 1987

Jerry Marotta

 * Pearl drums (black finish) /w 8", 10", 12", 14" and 16" floor toms
 * Cowbell & assorted percussion

Source: Larry Fast photos, Modern Drummer December 2019 (typical setups described)

John Giblin (bass)

 * Wal Pro II bass (natural, late 1970s)
 * Fender Jazz sunburst (fretless?)
 * 1958 Fender Precision bass

Sources: Larry Fast photos, auction of Fender P bass

Dave Gregory (add. guitars)
Guitars
 * 1963 Fender Stratocaster ("I Don't Remember" rhythm guitar, "Family Snapshot")
 * 1962 Gibson ES-335 ("I Don't Remember" power chords in chorus)

Amplifiers
 * 1962 Fender Tremolux (used for "I Don't Remember" power chords in choruses)
 * Mesa/Boogie ("Family Snapshot")
 * Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus (probably borrowed - used on "I Don't Remember")

Sources: Without Frontiers: The Life & Music of Peter Gabriel (2013) book by Daryl Easlea, Sound International November 1980 issue

Paul Weller (add. guitars)
Note: the exact details of the gear Paul Weller used on "And Through The Wire" is not known, but describes his typical setup of the late 1970s.

Guitars: Amplifiers:
 * Rickenbacker 330
 * Marshall 100-watt head
 * Marshall 1960A 4x12 cabinet

Source: various

Robert Fripp (add. guitars)
Note: the exact details of Robert Fripp's gear on the album are unknown, but the following described below was his typical late 1970s setup.

Guitars: Amplifiers: Effects:
 * Gibson Les Paul Custom
 * 1975/76 Fender Twin Reverb /w Partridge transformers
 * Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
 * Electro-Harmonix Big Muff distortion
 * Farfisa wooden-bodied volume pedal

Sources: various, including Pete Cornish website

Microphones

 * Drums:
 * Neumann U47 FET (bass drum)
 * Shure SM56 (toms)
 * Shure SM57 (snare)
 * Neumann U87 (2 for kit mics)
 * Neumann U47 (ambience mic)
 * STC Coles 4021 Ball & Biscuit (SSL desk "reverse talkback" mic - "Intruder" drum sound)
 * Guitar amps:
 * Shure SM57 (assumed)
 * Vocals:
 * Neumann U47
 * Neumann KM54 valve
 * Radio shack ampplifier:
 * Shure SM57

Outboard gear

 * AMS DMX 15-80 digital delay
 * Eventide Harmonizer

More info on The Town House page

Tape machines

 * Ampex MM-1200 2-inch 24-track
 * Ampex ATR-100 ¼-inch 2-track - Manor Mobile only
 * Ampex AG440C 2-track

Mixing consoles

 * Solid State Logic 4000B (The Townhouse Studio 2)
 * Helios 40/24 (Manor Mobile One)

Sources (Recording & Studio gear)

 * Home & Studio Recording, January 1985 (Hugh Padgham)
 * Studio Sound, March 1984 (Hugh Padgham)
 * Larry Fast photos
 * Hugh Padgham Produce Like A Pro interview
 * Studio Sound, August 1978 - Manor Mobile info