What guitar did Bob Dylan use on The Times They Are a-Changin?

Dylan used a Gibson J-50 acoustic guitar for the recording. This was one of his primary acoustic guitars during the early 1960s folk period.

How to get Bob Dylan's acoustic tone from The Times They Are a-Changin?

Use a quality dreadnought acoustic guitar with balanced tone, record with a large diaphragm condenser microphone in a controlled room environment, and focus on clear, articulate strumming technique. The key is capturing the natural guitar sound without excessive room ambience.

What microphone was used to record Bob Dylan's guitar?

A Neumann U67 large diaphragm tube condenser microphone was used to capture Dylan's acoustic guitar. This microphone was standard in professional studios of the era and known for its warm, detailed sound.

Where was The Times They Are a-Changin recorded?

The song was recorded at Columbia Studios in New York with producer Tom Wilson and engineer Roy Halee. The studio provided the controlled, relatively dry acoustic environment heard on the recording.

rhythm guitar from "the times they are a-changin'" by bob dylan

the times they are a-changin'

bob dylan

rhythm guitar

75% ai confidence

Tone Profile

Acoustic guitar with a bright, clear tone, providing a foundation for the song's message. The sound is intimate and direct, capturing the rawness of the performance.

Shop This Rig

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

Gibson J-50(instrument)
Neumann U67(microphone)

The Story

Dylan recorded 'The Times They Are a-Changin'' using his Gibson J-50 acoustic guitar, captured with a Neumann U67 microphone at Columbia Studios in New York. The recording was produced by Tom Wilson with Roy Halee engineering, utilizing a relatively dry studio environment to maintain the intimate, direct quality of Dylan's performance.

Production Credits

Producer: Tom Wilson

Engineer: Roy Halee

Recorded at: Columbia Studios, New York

Signal Chain

Instrument: Gibson J-50Shop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U67Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Use a high-quality acoustic guitar with a balanced tone.
Experiment with microphone placement to find the sweet spot that captures the guitar's natural sound.
Record in a controlled environment to avoid unwanted reflections or noise.
Focus on achieving a clean and articulate performance with consistent strumming.

Original Gear

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

Gibson J-50Shop on Reverb(guitar)
Neumann U67Shop on Reverb(mic)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Martin D-28Shop on Reverb$3500-$4000

Alternative to: Gibson J-50

Offers similar balanced tone and projection as the J-50, with excellent clarity for fingerpicking and strumming

Yamaha FG830Shop on Reverb$200-$250

Alternative to: Gibson J-50

Budget option that delivers bright, clear acoustic tone suitable for folk recordings

Neumann U87 AiShop on Reverb$3600-$4000

Alternative to: Neumann U67

Modern Neumann large diaphragm condenser with similar warmth and clarity characteristics

Audio-Technica AT4040Shop on Reverb$300-$350

Alternative to: Neumann U67

Affordable large diaphragm condenser that captures acoustic guitar detail and presence effectively

Waves Abbey Road ChambersPlugin Boutique$30-$50

Alternative to: Columbia Studios acoustics

Adds subtle vintage studio ambience to recreate the controlled room sound of 1960s recording sessions

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Community Insights

No community insights yet. Be the first to contribute!

TONEDB...

rhythm guitar from “the times they are a-changin'” by bob dylan | ToneDB