INXS - New Sensation - Guitar Lesson

Fender Stratocaster

Tim Farriss's primary choice throughout INXS's peak era, the Strat's single-coils deliver the snappy, articulate attack essential for funk-influenced rhythms and ghost notes. Neck and middle positions provide the warm, round tone heard on 'Need You Tonight,' while the bridge captures the cutting bite of 'New Sensation.'

Fender Telecaster

Farriss used Telecasters for songs requiring tonal variety and cutting clarity, leveraging their bright single-coil character to slice through INXS's dense pop-rock arrangements with percussive precision.

Gibson Les Paul Standard

When thicker, warmer tones were needed, Farriss switched to the Les Paul's PAF-style humbuckers for added sustain and body while maintaining INXS's clean-to-edge-of-breakup aesthetic.

Gibson Les Paul Custom

Similar to the Standard, the Custom's thicker tone and enhanced sustain provided Farriss with an alternative for studio tracks requiring deeper warmth without sacrificing the band's signature clarity.

Fender Twin Reverb

This amp's clean headroom and natural chiming high-end response shaped INXS's signature sparkle, delivering tube warmth that breaks up organically when picking intensity increases without relying on heavy distortion.

Vox AC30

The AC30's legendary chime and natural breakup characteristics complemented Farriss's dynamic playing style, providing the shimmer and warmth essential to INXS's clean-driven tones and chorus effects.