What guitar did Joey Santiago use on Where Is My Mind?

Joey Santiago used a Fender Telecaster for the lead guitar parts on "Where Is My Mind." The Telecaster's bright single-coil pickups contribute to the song's characteristic cutting guitar tone.

What amp did the Pixies use on Where Is My Mind?

The guitar was recorded through a Vox AC30 amplifier. The AC30's tube-driven clean tone with slight edge-of-breakup compression is essential to achieving the song's guitar sound.

How to get Pixies Where Is My Mind guitar tone?

Use a Telecaster-style guitar with single-coil pickups into a Vox AC30 or similar amp set to clean with slight breakup. Add subtle chorus with a Boss CE-1 or similar pedal, and keep reverb minimal for that direct, present sound.

What chorus pedal did Joey Santiago use?

Joey Santiago used a Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble on "Where Is My Mind." This vintage chorus unit provides the subtle width and movement heard on the recording without overwhelming the dry, direct guitar sound.

Who produced Where Is My Mind by Pixies?

"Where Is My Mind" was produced by Steve Albini and recorded at Fort Apache Studios in Cambridge, MA. Albini's production style emphasized capturing the natural amp sound with minimal processing.

lead guitar from "where is my mind" by pixies

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Tone Profile

A clean but slightly gritty guitar tone with a sense of space and subtle chorus. It's bright and clear, cutting through the mix without being overly harsh.

Shop This Rig

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Fender Telecaster(instrument)
Vox AC30(amp)
Neumann U87(microphone)
Boss CE-1(processing)

The Story

Joey Santiago's lead guitar on "Where Is My Mind" was recorded using a Fender Telecaster through a Vox AC30 amplifier with a Boss CE-1 chorus pedal. The track was recorded at Fort Apache Studios in Cambridge, MA and produced by Steve Albini. The tone features the AC30's characteristic clean-to-edge-of-breakup sound, enhanced by the vintage Boss chorus for subtle width and movement.

Production Credits

Producer: Steve Albini

Engineer: Steve Albini

Recorded at: Fort Apache Studios (Cambridge, MA)

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender TelecasterShop on Reverb

Amp: Vox AC30Shop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U87Shop on Reverb

Processing: Boss CE-1Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a Fender Telecaster or similar single-coil guitar.
Use a Vox AC30 amp or a similar amp known for its clean and slightly overdriven tones.
Dial in a clean amp tone with a touch of grit.
Add a subtle chorus effect to thicken the sound.
Experiment with mic placement on the amp to find the sweet spot.
Use minimal reverb to keep the guitar tone clear and present.

Original Gear

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Substitutions & Recommendations

Boss CE-2W Waza Craft ChorusShop on Reverb$150-$180

Alternative to: Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble

The CE-2W includes vintage CE-1 voicing that captures the subtle, warm chorus movement heard on the original recording

Vox AC30S1Shop on Reverb$800-$1000

Alternative to: Vox AC30

Single-channel AC30 that delivers the classic chime and edge-of-breakup character essential to this Pixies tone

Universal Audio Lion 68 Super Lead Plexi PluginPlugin Boutique$150-$200

Alternative to: Vox AC30

While not the exact amp, provides the tube saturation and brightness that can approximate the AC30's clean-to-driven response

Squier Classic Vibe 50s TelecasterShop on Reverb$350-$400

Alternative to: Fender Telecaster

Delivers authentic single-coil Telecaster bite and clarity at a budget-friendly price point

TC Electronic Corona ChorusShop on Reverb$100-$130