What guitar did Jimi Hendrix use on Hey Joe?

Hendrix used a Fender Stratocaster on 'Hey Joe.' His use of the Strat's tremolo arm and pickup switching were key elements in creating the song's psychedelic character and cutting lead tone.

What amp did Hendrix use to record Hey Joe?

Hendrix recorded 'Hey Joe' using a Marshall JTM45 amplifier. This was one of his primary amps during the late 1960s and provided the warm, overdriven foundation for his tone on the track.

How to get Jimi Hendrix Hey Joe tone?

Start with a Fender Stratocaster into a Marshall-style amp with moderate overdrive, then add a Fuzz Face pedal for the singing sustain. Use the tremolo arm sparingly and experiment with pickup positions for different textures throughout the song.

What fuzz pedal did Hendrix use on Hey Joe?

Hendrix used a Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face on 'Hey Joe.' This germanium transistor-based fuzz was essential to his sound, providing the overdriven, sustaining lead tones that cut through the mix while still cleaning up when he rolled back his guitar's volume.

Where was Hey Joe by Jimi Hendrix recorded?

Hendrix recorded 'Hey Joe' at Olympic Studios in London with producer Chas Chandler and engineer Eddie Kramer. The studio's acoustics and recording chain contributed to the raw, immediate sound captured on the track.

lead guitar from "hey joe" by jimi hendrix

hey joe

jimi hendrix

lead guitar

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Tone Profile

A raw, slightly overdriven guitar tone with a bluesy character. It has a biting edge and a clear, articulate sound that cuts through the mix.

Shop This Rig

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Fender Stratocaster(instrument)
Marshall JTM45(amp)
Neumann U67(microphone)
Fuzz Face(processing)

The Story

Hendrix recorded 'Hey Joe' at Olympic Studios in London with producer Chas Chandler and engineer Eddie Kramer. He used his Fender Stratocaster through a Marshall JTM45 amp with a Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face pedal to achieve the song's signature overdriven blues tone. The recording captured Hendrix's use of the Stratocaster's tremolo arm and pickup switching, which became key elements of his psychedelic sound.

Production Credits

Producer: Chas Chandler

Engineer: Eddie Kramer

Recorded at: Olympic Studios, London

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender StratocasterShop on Reverb

Amp: Marshall JTM45Shop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U67Shop on Reverb

Processing: Fuzz FaceShop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a Fender Stratocaster and a Marshall-style amp. A Fuzz Face is essential to replicate the overdriven sound.
Experiment with the Stratocaster's pickup selector to find the sweet spot.
Use a light touch on the tremolo arm to add subtle vibrato.
Record with a dynamic microphone placed close to the amp's speaker to capture the raw energy of the performance.

Original Gear

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Fender StratocasterShop on Reverb(guitar)
Marshall JTM45Shop on Reverb(amp)
Fuzz FaceShop on Reverb(pedal)
Neumann U67Shop on Reverb(mic)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Fender Player StratocasterShop on Reverb$650-$800

Alternative to: Fender Stratocaster

Modern Stratocaster with the same pickup configuration and tremolo system essential for Hendrix's vibrato techniques and tonal palette

Marshall Origin 50HShop on Reverb$550-$650

Alternative to: Marshall JTM45

Modern Marshall with similar EL34 tube circuitry and vintage voicing that captures the JTM45's warm overdrive character

Dunlop Fuzz Face Mini GermaniumShop on Reverb$150-$180

Alternative to: Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face

Authentic Fuzz Face circuit with germanium transistors like the original, providing the same singing sustain and cleanup with guitar volume

Universal Audio Marshall JTM45 PluginPlugin Boutique$149-$299

Alternative to: Marshall JTM45

Precisely modeled JTM45 amp plugin that captures the specific preamp and power tube saturation heard on the recording

Analogman Sun FaceShop on Reverb$200-$250