rhythm guitar from “stairway to heaven” by led zeppelin | ToneDB
stairway to heaven
led zeppelin
rhythm guitar
AI generatedv1.0
Tone Profile
A clean, jangly electric guitar tone with a slightly compressed and bright character. It evokes a sense of ethereal beauty and warmth.
Gear
- Fender Telecasterinstrument
- ReverbSweetwater
- Supro Coronadoamp
- Reverb$660Sweetwater
- Neumann U67microphone
- ReverbSweetwater
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The Story
Jimmy Page's acoustic-like rhythm guitar tone on "Stairway to Heaven" was recorded at Headley Grange using a Fender Telecaster through a Supro Coronado amp. The recording was captured with a Neumann U67 microphone placed several feet away from the amp to capture both the direct sound and the natural room acoustics. The distant miking technique and the acoustics of Headley Grange contributed significantly to the warm, ethereal quality of the tone.
Production Credits
Producer: Jimmy Page
Engineer: Andy Johns
Recorded at: Headley Grange
Signal Chain
Instrument: Fender Telecaster
Amp: Supro Coronado
Microphone: Neumann U67
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Fender Telecaster or similar single-coil guitar.
- Use a Supro Coronado amp or a similar low-wattage tube amp known for its clean and slightly overdriven tones.
- Experiment with microphone placement to capture both the direct sound and room ambience. Try blending a close mic with a room mic.
- Add a touch of compression to even out the dynamics and enhance the sustain.
- Use a slight boost in the high frequencies to brighten the tone and add clarity.
Original Gear
- Fender Telecaster(guitar)
- Supro Coronado(amp)
- Neumann U67(mic)
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Fender Telecaster
Provides similar single-coil clarity and jangle at a budget price point, with the semi-hollow construction adding warmth
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Supro Coronado
Modern Supro amp that captures the vintage Supro clean tone character with similar headroom and compression
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Neumann U67
Affordable recreation of the U67 circuit and sound, perfect for capturing the warm, distant miked guitar tone
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Room acoustics and distant miking
The spring reverb setting can simulate the natural room ambience captured in the original recording
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Natural tube compression
Adds the subtle compression that enhances sustain and evenness without coloring the clean tone
ReverbSweetwaterFrequently Asked Questions
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