rhythm guitar from “all the small things” by blink-182 | ToneDB
all the small things
blink-182
rhythm guitar
Tone Profile
The rhythm guitar has a bright, slightly overdriven pop-punk sound with a lot of clarity and punch, perfect for driving the energetic tempo of the song. It's a modern take on classic punk rock tones, tailored for the late 90s/early 2000s.
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The Story
The rhythm guitar on "All the Small Things" was recorded at Signature Sound in San Diego with producer Jerry Finn. Tom DeLonge used his Fender Stratocaster through a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier amplifier, with the cabinet miked using a Shure SM57. The recording approach likely combined the miked amp signal with a direct input to achieve the clarity and punch that characterizes the track's pop-punk sound.
Production Credits
Producer: Jerry Finn
Engineer: Sean O'Dwyer
Recorded at: Signature Sound, San Diego, CA
Signal Chain
Instrument: Fender StratocasterShop on Reverb
Amp: Mesa/Boogie Dual RectifierShop on Reverb
Microphone: Shure SM57Shop on Reverb
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Fender Stratocaster or similar guitar with single-coil pickups.
- Use a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier or a similar high-gain amplifier known for its aggressive sound.
- Experiment with blending a direct input signal with a microphone placed close to the amp's speaker to get a balanced tone.
- Use EQ to cut any muddiness in the low end and boost the high frequencies for added clarity.
- Apply compression to even out the dynamics and make the guitar track sit well in the mix.
Original Gear
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Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
Delivers the high-gain aggression needed for pop-punk with excellent note clarity and tight low-end response
Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
Budget option that can push a clean amp into high-gain territory with its aggressive midrange character
Alternative to: Fender Stratocaster
Provides authentic single-coil Strat tone at a budget price point with good build quality
Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier + SM57
Includes Mesa-style high-gain amp models with built-in cab simulation that captures similar aggressive tones
Alternative to: Shure SM57
The exact same microphone used on the original recording, still the industry standard for miking guitar cabs
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