rhythm guitar from “pour some sugar on me” by def leppard | ToneDB
pour some sugar on me
def leppard
rhythm guitar
Tone Profile
This tone is a high-gain, crunchy hard rock rhythm guitar sound with a slightly scooped midrange, perfect for driving a stadium anthem. It's aggressive but articulate, providing a solid foundation for the song.
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The Story
The rhythm guitar on "Pour Some Sugar on Me" was tracked using a Gibson Les Paul through a Rockman amp at Wisseloord Studios, with Shure SM57 microphones capturing the sound. Producer Mutt Lange was known for his meticulous layering approach, and multiple guitar tracks were likely stacked to create the thick, wall-of-sound effect that became a signature of Def Leppard's late-80s sound. The Rockman's built-in compression and distinctive distortion characteristics provided the consistent, controlled tone that worked perfectly for the dense mix.
Production Credits
Producer: Robert John "Mutt" Lange
Engineer: Mike Shipley
Recorded at: Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum, Netherlands
Signal Chain
Instrument: Gibson Les PaulShop on Reverb
Microphone: Shure SM57Shop on Reverb
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Gibson Les Paul or similar humbucker-equipped guitar.
- Use a Rockman amp or a high-gain amp simulator with similar characteristics.
- Scoop the midrange slightly and boost the high and low frequencies.
- Experiment with layering multiple guitar tracks, each with slightly different settings, to create a thick sound.
- Use a Shure SM57 or similar dynamic microphone if miking a real amp.
- Consider using a noise gate to tighten up the sound and reduce unwanted noise.
Original Gear
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Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Rockman amp
Official Rockman plugin models that recreate the exact compression and distortion characteristics of the original hardware
Alternative to: Gibson Les Paul
Provides the humbucker pickup tone and sustain of a Les Paul at a budget-friendly price point
Alternative to: Rockman amp
Modern reissue of Tom Scholz's original Rockman design with the same compression and distortion circuit
Alternative to: Rockman amp
High-gain tube amp that can achieve similar aggressive crunch tones when dialed in with scooped mids
Alternative to: Shure SM57
The exact same microphone used on the original recording, still the industry standard for guitar cabinets
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
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