TONEDB

lead guitar from “man in the box” by alice in chains | ToneDB

man in the box

alice in chains

lead guitar

95% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A searing, vocal-like lead tone defined by high gain, expressive wah pedal swells, and the unique, articulate character of a Heil Talk Box. It's aggressive yet melodic, cutting through the mix with a distinctive, almost human-voice quality.

Signal Chain

Instrument: G&L Rampage (with high-output humbucker)

Amp: Bogner Fish Preamp + Marshall JCM800 power amp (driving a Marshall 4x12 cabinet with Celestion speakers)

Microphone: Shure SM57 (capturing the Heil Talk Box output)

Processing: Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Cry Baby Wah (JH-1), Heil Talk Box

Other: Signal path: Guitar -> Wah -> Amp. The amp's speaker output is connected to the Heil Talk Box driver. The sound from the talk box tube, modulated by Cantrell's mouth, is then captured by the microphone. The Marshall 4x12 cabinet remains active via the talk box's speaker thru connection.

Recording Notes

  • The Heil Talk Box is the most distinctive element of the solo's sound, with its output being mic'd.
  • A Dunlop Cry Baby wah pedal is used extensively, often to create vowel-like sweeps or parked in a specific position to shape the tone feeding the talk box.
  • Recorded by Dave Jerden, known for capturing powerful and clear rock tones.
  • The underlying amp tone is high-gain, likely from the Bogner preamp and Marshall power section, providing saturation and sustain.
  • The G&L Rampage guitar, often Jerry Cantrell's main instrument, features a high-output bridge humbucker crucial for driving the amp and effects.

Recreation Tips

  • A guitar with a high-output bridge humbucker is essential.
  • Place the wah pedal before the high-gain amplifier and talk box.
  • The talk box setup is critical: the amplifier's speaker output must feed the talk box driver. Ensure this is done safely and correctly.
  • Use a dynamic microphone (e.g., Shure SM57) positioned close to the opening of the talk box tube to capture the sound modulated by your mouth.
  • Practice shaping vowel sounds ('aaah', 'oooh', 'eee', 'ow') with your mouth while playing notes/phrases through the talk box.
  • Combine talk box articulation with expressive wah pedal sweeps to emulate Cantrell's vocal-like phrasing.
  • Dial in a high-gain tone on your amplifier with enough sustain to make the notes sing through the talk box. EQ to ensure clarity and cut through the mix.

Sources