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rhythm guitar from “are you gonna go my way” by lenny kravitz | ToneDB

are you gonna go my way

lenny kravitz

rhythm guitar

90% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A raw, powerful, and iconic late 60s/early 70s-inspired rock tone, characterized by a bright, slightly fuzzy Marshall crunch and strong midrange. It's aggressive yet articulate, driving the song with its distinctive riff.

Signal Chain

Instrument: 1960s Gibson Les Paul (likely with humbuckers)

Amp: Marshall Super Lead Plexi 100W head with a Marshall 4x12 cabinet (likely loaded with Celestion G12M Greenback speakers)

Microphone: Shure SM57

Processing: Fuzz Face style pedal (e.g., Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face or a high-quality clone)

Other: Guitar signal split: one path direct (DI) and one path to the amp. Both DI and miked amp signals were recorded, possibly blended. Close microphone placement on the speaker cone. The main riff is a single guitar track panned slightly to the left in the mix.

Recording Notes

  • The track was recorded by engineer Henry Hirsch at Waterfront Studios, Hoboken, New Jersey, known for its vintage Neve 8068 console.
  • The guitar part, including the main riff, was played by Craig Ross.
  • The production philosophy emphasized capturing a live, energetic performance with a vintage analog sound.
  • The core guitar tone is relatively dry, with its aggressive character coming from the amp and fuzz pedal rather than heavy studio effects.
  • The album "Are You Gonna Go My Way" was released in 1993.

Recreation Tips

  • Use a Gibson Les Paul or a similar guitar equipped with humbucker pickups, selecting the bridge pickup for brightness and attack.
  • Employ a Marshall Plexi-style amplifier (or a modeler equivalent) set to a moderate gain level, emphasizing upper-mid frequencies for cut.
  • Introduce a vintage-style Fuzz Face pedal. Adjust the fuzz control for a saturated, slightly gritty tone that retains note definition.
  • Experiment with your guitar's volume knob to control the level of fuzz and overall dynamics; rolling back can clean up the tone.
  • Mic the speaker cabinet with a dynamic microphone like an SM57, placed close to the grille, slightly off-center of the speaker cone, to capture a direct and punchy sound.
  • Keep the signal chain relatively simple; the magic of this tone lies in the interaction between the guitar, fuzz pedal, and cranked tube amp.

Sources