lead guitar from “ain't no rest for the wicked” by cage the elephant | ToneDB
ain't no rest for the wicked
cage the elephant
lead guitar
Tone Profile
A gritty, slightly overdriven tone with a touch of fuzz and a bright, cutting edge. It's raw and energetic, perfect for the song's bluesy rock vibe.
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The Story
The lead guitar tone on 'Ain't No Rest For The Wicked' was recorded using a Fender Telecaster through an Ampeg Super Reverb amplifier with a Pro Co RAT distortion pedal, according to Cage the Elephant interviews. The recording was done at In The Garage Studio in Nashville with producer Jay Joyce, using a close-miked approach with a Shure SM57 to capture the direct, aggressive sound.
Production Credits
Producer: Jay Joyce
Engineer: Unknown
Recorded at: In The Garage Studio (Nashville, TN)
Signal Chain
Instrument: Fender TelecasterShop on Reverb
Amp: Ampeg Super ReverbShop on Reverb
Microphone: Shure SM57Shop on Reverb
Processing: Pro Co RATShop on Reverb
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Telecaster-style guitar into a clean amp like a Fender or Ampeg.
- Use a RAT distortion pedal with the gain set low to medium to achieve a gritty overdrive.
- Use an SM57 or similar dynamic microphone close to the amp speaker.
- EQ to taste, cutting any muddiness and boosting the high-mid frequencies for clarity.
Original Gear
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Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Pro Co RAT distortion
Contains 9 different RAT variations including the classic RAT 2 circuit, perfect for dialing in that gritty low-to-medium gain overdrive
Alternative to: Pro Co RAT distortion
Modern take on classic RAT tones with added clarity and tightness, great for cutting through the mix like the original recording
Alternative to: Ampeg Super Reverb amplifier
Authentic Ampeg modeling that captures the unique character and breakup of vintage Ampeg amps
Alternative to: Fender Telecaster
Budget-friendly Telecaster with authentic single-coil pickups that deliver the bright, cutting tone needed for this track
Alternative to: Ampeg Super Reverb amplifier
Similar tube warmth and headroom characteristics, takes pedals well and provides that clean platform for the RAT distortion
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