TONEDB

lead guitar from “let's dance” by david bowie | ToneDB

let's dance

david bowie

lead guitar

AI generatedv1.0

Tone Profile

A bright and shimmering clean tone with chorus and compression, creating a spacious and danceable sound. The guitar cuts through the mix with clarity and articulation.

Gear

Fender Stratocasterinstrument
ReverbSweetwater
Fender Twin Reverbamp
ReverbSweetwater
Shure SM57microphone
ReverbSweetwater
Dyno My Piano Tri Stereo Chorusprocessing
ReverbSweetwater
Urei 1176processing
ReverbSweetwater

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The Story

Nile Rodgers recorded his iconic guitar parts for "Let's Dance" at The Power Station in New York City, with Bob Clearmountain engineering. His signature setup included a Fender Stratocaster through a Fender Twin Reverb, recorded with a Shure SM57. The characteristic shimmering width came from the Dyno My Piano Tri Stereo Chorus pedal, while a Urei 1176 compressor provided the sustained, even dynamics that help the guitar cut through the dense mix.

Production Credits

Producer: Nile Rodgers

Engineer: Bob Clearmountain

Recorded at: The Power Station, New York City

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender Stratocaster

Amp: Fender Twin Reverb

Microphone: Shure SM57

Processing: Dyno My Piano Tri Stereo Chorus, Urei 1176

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a Fender Stratocaster into a clean Fender amp like a Twin Reverb or Deluxe Reverb.
  • Use a chorus pedal capable of a wide, shimmering sound, such as the Dyno My Piano Tri Stereo Chorus or a modern equivalent.
  • Apply compression to even out the dynamics and add sustain. A Urei 1176 or similar FET compressor can work well.
  • Experiment with microphone placement to capture the desired amp tone.

Original Gear

  • Fender Stratocaster(guitar)
  • Fender Twin Reverb(amp)
  • Dyno My Piano Tri Stereo Chorus(pedal)
  • Urei 1176(compressor)
  • Shure SM57(mic)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Boss CE-5 Chorus Ensemble$120-$140

Alternative to: Dyno My Piano Tri Stereo Chorus

Provides the wide stereo chorusing essential to this tone at a budget-friendly price

ReverbSweetwater
TC Electronic Corona Chorus$130-$150

Alternative to: Dyno My Piano Tri Stereo Chorus

Offers multiple chorus algorithms including tri-chorus modes that recreate the original's spacious sound

ReverbSweetwater
Origin Effects Cali76 Compact Deluxe$320-$350

Alternative to: Urei 1176

Delivers authentic 1176-style FET compression in pedal format for that sustained clean tone

ReverbSweetwater
Fender '68 Custom Twin Reverb$1200-$1400

Alternative to: Fender Twin Reverb

Current reissue of the classic clean platform amp used on the original recording

ReverbSweetwater
Universal Audio 1176 Classic Limiter Collection$150-$200

Alternative to: Urei 1176

Official UAD emulation of the original 1176 compressor for studio recreation

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

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