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rhythm guitar from “pour some sugar on me” by def leppard | ToneDB

pour some sugar on me

def leppard

rhythm guitar

AI generatedv1.0

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.

Gear

Gibson Les Paulinstrument
ReverbSweetwater
Rockmanamp
Reverb$190Sweetwater
Shure SM57microphone
ReverbSweetwater

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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 Paul

Amp: Rockman

Microphone: Shure SM57

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

  • Gibson Les Paul(guitar)
  • Rockman(amp)
  • Shure SM57(mic)

Substitutions & Recommendations

IK Multimedia AmpliTube Rockman Collection$99-$149

Alternative to: Rockman amp

Official Rockman plugin models that recreate the exact compression and distortion characteristics of the original hardware

ReverbSweetwater
Epiphone Les Paul Standard 60s$450-$550

Alternative to: Gibson Les Paul

Provides the humbucker pickup tone and sustain of a Les Paul at a budget-friendly price point

ReverbSweetwater
Dunlop Rockman Sustainor$150-$200

Alternative to: Rockman amp

Modern reissue of Tom Scholz's original Rockman design with the same compression and distortion circuit

ReverbSweetwater
Marshall DSL40CR$600-$700

Alternative to: Rockman amp

High-gain tube amp that can achieve similar aggressive crunch tones when dialed in with scooped mids

ReverbSweetwater
Shure SM57$99-$120

Alternative to: Shure SM57

The exact same microphone used on the original recording, still the industry standard for guitar cabinets

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

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