TONEDB

rhythm guitar from “use somebody” by kings of leon | ToneDB

use somebody

kings of leon

rhythm guitar

90% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A clean, spacious rhythm guitar tone defined by its chiming, prominent dotted-eighth note delay and warm semi-hollow body character. It's atmospheric yet clear, sitting perfectly in the mix.

Signal Chain

Instrument: Gibson ES-335 (likely neck or middle pickup position)

Amp: Ampeg Reverberocket R-212R

Microphone: Shure SM57

Processing: Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer (low drive, level up), Line 6 DL4 (dotted eighth delay, moderate feedback, prominent mix)

Other: Amp's built-in spring reverb engaged. SM57 likely close-miked on the speaker cone, often blended with a Royer R-121 for added body by producer Jacquire King. The delay is a critical rhythmic component.

Recording Notes

  • The rhythm guitar part is likely double-tracked or layered with similar tones to create width and space.
  • Producer Jacquire King often used a combination of close mics (Shure SM57, Royer R121) and a room mic (e.g., Neumann U67) on guitar amps for the 'Only by the Night' album.
  • Emphasis on capturing a clean, full-range signal from the amp to allow the delay and reverb to breathe and maintain clarity.
  • Minimal compression was likely used on the individual guitar tracks during recording, allowing dynamics to interact naturally with the delay and reverb effects.

Recreation Tips

  • Use a semi-hollow body guitar like an ES-335, or a Les Paul with the neck or middle pickup selected for warmth and clarity.
  • Set your delay pedal to a dotted eighth note timed to the song's tempo (approx. 137 BPM, so delay time around 328ms). Ensure the delay mix level is high enough to be a distinct rhythmic element.
  • Aim for a mostly clean amp tone with just a hint of breakup when you dig in. The Ampeg Reverberocket is known for its lush spring reverb; use your amp's reverb or a quality reverb pedal/plugin.
  • Employ a light overdrive pedal (like an Ibanez Tube Screamer) with the gain set very low and the level up to push the amp slightly, add sustain, and shape the tone, not for heavy distortion.
  • Focus on a consistent, relatively gentle picking attack to let the notes sustain and allow the delay repeats to create the signature rhythmic texture.

Sources