Champagne Supernova

The recording

Champagne Supernova was recorded in 1995 at Rockfield Studios (Monmouth) and Loco Studios with Noel Gallagher and Owen Morris producing. Noel played lead guitars on a 1984 Epiphone Riviera, while rhythm duties were handled by Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs on a semi‑hollow body and guest Paul Weller contributed an additional lead. The guitars were layered, with the lead parts processed through a Fender Twin Reverb (as suggested by community‑sourced tone settings) and modest reverb/delay effects, giving the track its spacious, soaring tone.

Reported gear

1984 Epiphone Riviera (Matsumoku)

Guitar

Noel Gallagher recorded his lead parts on a 1984 Epiphone Riviera, a Japanese‑built semi‑hollow body, during the (What's the Story) Morning Glory sessions, including ‘Champagne Supernova’.

Fender Twin Reverb (1960s era)

Amp

Community‑sourced tone settings often cite a Fender Twin Reverb as the amp used for the clean and lead tones on ‘Champagne Supernova’, though no studio documentation confirms this.

Alternatives

Epiphone Riviera (reissue)

Reissue · for the 1984 Epiphone Riviera (Matsumoku)

$350 to $500

Fender '57 Custom Twin Reverb (reissue)

Modern equivalent · for the Fender Twin Reverb (1960s era)

$1,200 to $1,800

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1. 1.Play rhythm parts with the neck pickup for a warm, semi‑hollow tone.
2. 2.Add light overdrive when soloing to achieve the gritty lead sound.
3. 3.Use a modest quarter‑note delay to thicken the solo passages.
4. 4.Strum gently with a pick on verses, allowing the guitar to ring out.
5. 5.Blend clean and dirty tones by switching from rhythm to lead sections.