TONEDB

rhythm guitar from “what's up?” by 4 non blondes | ToneDB

what's up?

4 non blondes

rhythm guitar

75% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A bright and punchy rhythm guitar tone that is raw but full, with a slight edge that cuts through the mix, providing a strong foundation for the song's energetic vibe. It sounds like a direct guitar amp with little processing.

Shop This Rig

ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.

The Story

The rhythm guitar tone on 4 Non Blondes' "What's Up?" was recorded by guitarist Roger Rocha at The Plant Studios in Sausalito, California, with producer David Tickle. According to Premier Guitar, Rocha used a Gibson Les Paul through a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier amplifier, with the signal captured using a Shure SM57 microphone. The sound was kept deliberately raw and direct with minimal processing to maintain the amp's natural character.

Production Credits

Producer: David Tickle

Engineer: Unknown

Recorded at: The Plant Studios, Sausalito, CA

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a Gibson Les Paul style guitar into a Mesa/Boogie amplifier for a similar high-gain foundation.
  • Use a Shure SM57 close to the speaker cone, slightly off-axis, to capture the amp's raw sound.
  • Focus on amp settings for tone shaping: gain staging, EQ, and presence to achieve the desired edge and clarity.
  • Avoid excessive post-processing; subtle EQ adjustments can refine the tone without masking the amp's character.

Original Gear

ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.

Substitutions & Recommendations

Epiphone Les Paul Standard 50sShop on Reverb$500-$600

Alternative to: Gibson Les Paul

Provides the humbucker pickup warmth and sustain of a Les Paul at a budget price, essential for this full yet punchy rhythm tone

PRS MT 15Shop on Reverb$700-$800

Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier

Delivers similar high-gain Mesa-style saturation and punch in a more affordable and compact package

Neural DSP Fortin Cali SuitePlugin Boutique$100-$150

Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier

Accurately models Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier tones with the raw, unprocessed character needed for this direct guitar sound

Shure SM57Shop on Reverb$100-$120

Alternative to: Shure SM57

The same microphone used on the original recording, still the industry standard for capturing punchy guitar cabinet tones

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Community Insights

No community insights yet. Be the first to contribute!