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lead guitar from “don't fear the reaper” by blue öyster cult | ToneDB

don't fear the reaper

blue öyster cult

lead guitar

90% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A smooth, singing lead tone defined by its prominent tape-style delay, creating a dreamy, slightly haunting, and iconic melodic atmosphere. The sound is articulate with natural tube warmth and a touch of spacious reverb.

Signal Chain

Instrument: Gibson SG Standard (specifically a 1969 model)

Amp: Music Man HD-130 Reverb (head or combo)

Microphone: Shure SM57 or Neumann U87

Processing: Maestro Echoplex EP-3 (Tape Delay), Spring Reverb (likely from the Music Man amp)

Other: Bridge pickup likely engaged. Guitar volume and tone knobs potentially rolled back slightly for smoothness and clarity. The Echoplex EP-3 was set for a single, clear repeat (approx. 430-440ms delay time, minimal feedback/regeneration) crucial for the song's rhythmic feel and melodic sustain.

Recording Notes

  • Recorded in 1975-1976 at The Record Plant, New York, for the album 'Agents of Fortune'.
  • Engineered by Shelly Yakus and produced by Sandy Pearlman, Murray Krugman, and David Lucas.
  • The lead guitar parts, like the arpeggiated intro, were meticulously performed and recorded, likely with multiple takes to achieve the desired precision.
  • The tape delay (Echoplex) was a fundamental part of the sound, used directly during tracking rather than solely as a mix effect.
  • The overall production features a clean, wide stereo image with clear instrument separation, characteristic of high-quality mid-70s rock recordings.

Recreation Tips

  • Use a Gibson SG or similar humbucker-equipped guitar, primarily on the bridge pickup.
  • Dial in a clean to edge-of-breakup tone on a tube amplifier. A Music Man or Fender-style amp with good headroom is ideal.
  • A tape delay emulation (pedal or plugin like a Catalinbread Belle Epoch, Strymon El Capistan, or UAD EP-34) is absolutely essential. Set the delay time to approximately 430-440ms (a dotted eighth note at around 137 BPM) with minimal feedback for a single, distinct repeat.
  • Adjust the delay mix so it's prominent and integral to the melody, almost like a duet with the dry signal.
  • Add a subtle touch of spring reverb for ambience and depth.
  • Practice clean, articulate picking. The delay should complement the notes, not obscure them. Let the notes sustain naturally.
  • Experiment with rolling back the guitar's tone knob slightly (to 7 or 8) to tame excessive brightness and achieve a smoother lead voice.

Sources