Tone Profile

The guitar tone is a thick, overdriven sound with a bright top end and a strong midrange presence, characteristic of a cranked tube amp. It's a classic rock sound, perfect for bluesy riffs and solos.

Production Credits

Signal Chain

Recording Notes

• Ritchie Blackmore's signature sound on "Smoke on the Water" comes from his Gibson ES-335 played through a heavily cranked Marshall Major amp, creating a thick, saturated overdrive.
• The specific recording setup isn't widely documented, but the guitar was likely recorded with a single microphone placed close to the amp's speaker cabinet.

Recreation Tips

• Start with a Gibson-style guitar with humbucker pickups.
• Use an amp simulator plugin or amplifier capable of a British high-gain sound.
• Crank the gain to achieve a thick, overdriven tone with plenty of sustain.
• Adjust the EQ to emphasize the midrange frequencies for a focused sound.
• Add a touch of reverb for ambience, but keep it subtle.

Recommended Gear

• Gibson ES-335(guitar)
• Marshall Major(amp)