# Michael Hampton on Funkadelic's gear and legacy

> Michael Hampton recalls using Aerosmith's old gear for Funkadelic's 1975 album.
- Title: Michael Hampton on Funkadelic's gear and legacy · Guitar World
- Summary: Michael Hampton recalls using Aerosmith's old gear for Funkadelic's 1975 album. Michael Hampton used Aerosmith's equipment to record Funkadelic's 1975 album…
- Keywords: michael hampton, funkadelic, aerosmith, let's take it to the stage, guitar, 1975, music production, Michael, Hampton, Funkadelic's, gear, legacy
- Source: Guitar World — https://guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/michael-hampton-funkadelic
- Published: 2026-10-09T11:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: michael hampton, funkadelic, aerosmith, let's take it to the stage, guitar, 1975, music production
## Michael Hampton's early Funkadelic days
Michael Hampton was 20 when he recorded Funkadelic's 1975 album Let's Take It to the Stage.
## Kidd Funkadelic's nickname
He earned the nickname Kidd Funkadelic due to being younger than his P-Funk bandmates.
## Funkadelic's free-spirited approach
Funkadelic was a collective of free-spirited, drug-using musicians focused on groove over paperwork.
## Album's battle of the bands spirit
The album came from a 'battle of the bands' mentality where they aimed to outdo other bands on stage.
## Recording process at Michigan United Sound
They recorded at Michigan United Sound near Wayne State University in Detroit, staying across the street at a motel.
## Aerosmith's gear used for Funkadelic
Funkadelic used Aerosmith's old Music Man amps and Crown power amplifiers for recording.

> We were using Aerosmith's old equipment. I don't know how we got it. I don't wanna drop any names
## Guitars used on the album
Hampton used an old Gibson L6-S, a Les Paul, and a modified Framus guitar with augmented pickups.
## Album's legacy and impact
Hampton says the album's legacy lies in how well it's played, not in its popularity.
## Funkadelic's recording process
Recording sessions were fluid with no formal process, leading to unclear credits on P-Funk albums.
## The 'smack addict' solo story
Hampton heard a story about a 'smack addict' recording a solo for $50 but doesn't confirm the details.

> I heard a story like that, but I don't wanna say the guy who did it was a smack addict, you know?
## Tupac Shakur's sample of the track
Tupac Shakur sampled the track in 1993's Holler If Ya Hear Me.

> Tupac Shakur sampled that in one of his tracks [1993's Holler If Ya Hear Me]
## How the gear was acquired
Funkadelic got Aerosmith's gear through roadies who worked with both bands.
## Key takeaway

Michael Hampton used Aerosmith's equipment to record Funkadelic's 1975 album Let's Take It to the Stage.