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rhythm guitar from “yellow” by coldplay | ToneDB

yellow

coldplay

rhythm guitar

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Tone Profile

A clean, bright, and shimmering electric guitar tone with a distinct chorus effect, providing an articulate and melodic rhythmic backbone. The unique E-A-B-G-B-E tuning contributes to its signature open, ringing quality.

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender '72 Telecaster Thinline (likely neck pickup or a blend of neck and middle/bridge)

Amp: Fender Hot Rod DeVille 212 (Clean Channel)

Microphone: Shure SM57 (placed slightly off-center of the speaker cone)

Processing: Chorus (e.g., Boss CE-2, Line 6 MM4/DL4 chorus model, or similar), Digital Delay (e.g., Boss DD-5 or Line 6 DL4, set for subtle ambience/single repeat), Studio Compression (likely applied during mixing for dynamic consistency), Studio Reverb (e.g., plate or hall, added during mixing for space)

Other: E-A-B-G-B-E tuning. Fingerpicked playing style. The clean channel of the amp is used, with EQ set for clarity and brightness, avoiding breakup.

Recording Notes

  • The E-A-B-G-B-E tuning (low to high) is a defining characteristic of this guitar part, allowing for open, ringing chord voicings.
  • Fingerpicking technique was used by Jonny Buckland, contributing to the softer attack and dynamic expression of the arpeggiated chords.
  • The core amp tone is clean with plenty of headroom, characteristic of Fender amplifiers like the Hot Rod DeVille.
  • Chorus and delay are essential to the sound's movement and space, likely fine-tuned during the mixing stage.
  • Minimal gain on the amp; the clarity comes from the guitar's single-coil pickups and clean amplification.
  • The part may have been double-tracked or processed with stereo effects in the mix to enhance its width and presence.

Recreation Tips

  • Use a Telecaster-style guitar, preferably a Thinline model for its semi-hollow resonance. Select the neck pickup or a blend for warmth and clarity.
  • Tune your guitar to E-A-B-G-B-E. This tuning is critical for accurately playing the arpeggiated chords (Bmaj7, F#add11/A#, Emaj9).
  • Fingerpick the part. Avoid using a plectrum to achieve the correct soft attack and dynamic control.
  • Set your amplifier to a clean setting. A Fender-style amp is ideal. Keep gain low, adjust EQ for brightness and clarity (e.g., Treble: 6-7, Mid: 5-6, Bass: 4-5, Presence: 5-6).
  • Apply a chorus effect. Aim for a moderate speed and depth that adds shimmer without sounding overly processed or detuned.
  • Add a subtle delay (e.g., a single quiet repeat at around 200-300ms, or a very short slapback, low mix) and a touch of reverb (plate or hall) for ambience.
  • Consider light compression, either from a pedal or plugin, to even out dynamics, especially if fingerpicking isn't your primary technique.

Sources