TONEDB

lead guitar from “layla” by derek and the dominos | ToneDB

layla

derek and the dominos

lead guitar

95% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A bright, cutting, and articulate lead tone derived from a small tube amp pushed into natural overdrive, famous for its stinging attack and vocal-like quality.

Signal Chain

Instrument: 1956 Fender Stratocaster ('Brownie')

Amp: Fender Champ (5F1 Tweed)

Microphone: Shure SM57

Other: Amp volume cranked to maximum (10 or 12 depending on model) for natural tube saturation. Bridge pickup selected.

Recording Notes

  • Recorded at Criteria Studios, Miami, produced by Tom Dowd.
  • Both Eric Clapton (Strat) and Duane Allman (Les Paul) primarily used cranked Fender Champ amps.
  • Minimal effects used during tracking; the core tone is the guitar straight into the overdriven amp.
  • Multiple guitar parts were layered, including Duane Allman's slide guitar.
  • Likely close-miked amp cabinet.

Recreation Tips

  • Use a Stratocaster-style guitar on the bridge pickup.
  • Employ a low-wattage tweed-style tube amp (like a Fender Champ or clone) and turn the volume all the way up.
  • Avoid using distortion pedals; rely solely on amp overdrive.
  • Use expressive finger vibrato.
  • Pick relatively hard near the bridge for a brighter, more aggressive attack.
  • Consider adding subtle room or plate reverb during mixing, not typically as a pedal.
  • The original recording might not be tuned exactly to standard A=440Hz.

Sources