and electronics engineer often described as “the inventor of the pedalboard”. Since the early 1970s he has built custom switching systems and effects for some of the biggest names in guitar history, including David Gilmour, Brian May, Eric Clapton, Andy Summers, Paul McCartney and many more.
At a time when most players were still throwing loose stompboxes on the floor, Cornish was designing fully integrated boards with buffered signal paths, silent switching and rock-solid construction that could survive world tours. His focus on low noise, proper impedance matching and bullet-proof wiring set a new standard for professional guitar rigs and helped define the sound of arena rock in the ’70s and ’80s.
Cornish began building bespoke systems in the early ’70s and founded his own company in 1976. Many of his pedal circuits – including classics like the G-2 and SS-3 – were originally developed for specific artists and refined on the road. Today, Pete Cornish pedals and boards are still hand-built in the UK and remain some of the most respected tools in the world for players chasing reliable, no-compromise tone.
Classic Pete Cornish Pedalboards
Early Pete Cornish board for David Gilmour – integrated switching and custom effects that became part of the classic Pink Floyd sound. Custom Cornish rig for Brian May, built to tame noise and radio interference while keeping his trademark Vox-driven tone intact. Multi-effect Cornish board used by Andy Summers of The Police for reliable cueing of modulation, delay and ambience on tour.