Originally posted by Armadillo
What is this "expensive studio equipment" no one else can afford.
Guitar amp, effect processors, pre-amp, EQ, pickups, double (triple etc.) tracking?

First of all, they record and mix their albums in world class studios, which means exceptionally good acoustics and control of sound. They most likely use SSL consoles to do their tracking and mixing, which are GREAT sounding consoles. They use the best A/D converters out there to get their stuff into Pro-Tools for editing. They probably use all kinds of nice outboard gear during tracking and mixing, mostly EQ's and compressors... I'm sure they use a bunch of plug-ins on top of that.
I think Brad from LP uses Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifiers for amps together with PRS guitars plus probably some Seymour Duncan pickups.
In order to get that big stereo guitar sound like LP you need layers and layers of different takes spread over the stereo image, preferable all with a relatively different sound to give them more seperation and enhance the big sound. Plus, the guitar and bass work together on that sounds, most people don't seem to be able to make that distinction.