Tone Profile

A bright, trebly, and percussive rhythm guitar tone with a distinctively raw, slightly overdriven edge, cutting through the mix with post-punk energy.

Signal Chain

Recording Notes

• Recorded by Tore Johansson at Tambourine Studios, Malmö, Sweden.
• The rhythm guitar part played by Alex Kapranos typically complements Nick McCarthy's main riff/lead lines.
• Emphasis on a dry, direct, and punchy guitar sound with minimal effects.
• Guitars are often panned to create stereo width and separation between parts.
• The overall production is bright, characteristic of Tore Johansson's work.

Recreation Tips

• Apply a high-pass filter (low-cut) to remove unnecessary boominess and help the guitar sit well in a mix.
• Use a Telecaster-style guitar, selecting the bridge pickup for maximum bite.
• Dial in a bright tone on your amplifier, with moderate gain for a slightly gritty, pushed sound. British-voiced amps (like Vox or Selmer emulations) work well.
• Focus on precise, energetic rhythm playing, often using downstrokes and staccato phrasing.
• Keep effects minimal; the core tone comes from the guitar and amp interaction.
• If using a microphone, an SM57 close to the speaker cone can capture the directness. A condenser like a U67 or emulation will capture more top-end detail.

Recommended Gear

• Fender '73 Telecaster Custom (Vintage)(guitar)
• Fender Vintera '70s Telecaster Custom(guitar)
• Selmer Zodiac Twin 30 (Vintage)(amp)
• Vox AC30C2(amp)
• Fender '65 Twin Reverb(amp)
• Neumann U67(mic)
• Shure SM57(mic)
• Universal Audio Selmer Zodiac Twin 30 Amp Plugin (if available)(plugin)