lead guitar from “johnny b. goode” by chuck berry | ToneDB
johnny b. goode
chuck berry
lead guitar
85% ai confidence
Tone Profile
A bright, punchy, and slightly overdriven hollowbody guitar tone that defined early rock and roll.
Signal Chain
Instrument: Gibson ES-350T
Amp: Fender Bassman 5F6-A
Microphone: RCA 77-DX
Processing: Studio Echo Chamber
Other: Amp volume pushed to achieve natural tube overdrive. Recorded at Chess Records.
Recording Notes
- Likely recorded live with the band in a single room at Chess Records.
- Minimal processing added during mixing, primarily echo chamber reverb.
- The combination of the hollowbody guitar and the cranked tweed amp creates the signature attack and mild breakup.
- Potential tape saturation contributing slightly to compression and warmth.
Recreation Tips
- Use a hollowbody or semi-hollowbody guitar, preferably with P-90 or humbucker pickups.
- Select the bridge pickup or a blend of bridge and neck for brightness and bite.
- Use a tweed-style Fender amp (like a Bassman or Deluxe) and turn the volume up until it just starts to break up.
- Keep EQ relatively bright, emphasizing treble and upper mids.
- Use Chuck Berry's signature double-stop bends and rhythmic phrasing.
- Add a touch of room or slapback echo/reverb.