TONEDB

lead guitar from “every rose has its thorn” by poison | ToneDB

every rose has its thorn

poison

lead guitar

88% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A shimmering, chorused acoustic guitar defines the main melodic themes and arpeggios, while the electric solo offers a smooth, singing, classic 80s rock lead tone with prominent sustain and reverb.

Signal Chain

Instrument: High-quality 6-string steel acoustic guitar (e.g., Martin D-28, Gibson J-200, or a high-end Takamine/Ovation for DI)

Amp: Direct Input (DI) and/or Mic'd (No Amp)

Microphone: Neumann U87 or AKG C414 (if mic'd, often blended with DI)

Processing: High-quality DI Box / Preamp, Studio Compressor (e.g., Urei 1176), Chorus (e.g., Boss CE-1/CE-2 or Eventide H3000), Studio Reverb (e.g., Lexicon 224/480L)

Other: Likely double-tracked or layered with a 12-string acoustic for rhythm. Played with a pick for clarity on arpeggios and lead lines.

Recording Notes

  • The song was produced by Tom Werman, known for his polished rock productions.
  • Layered acoustic guitars (both 6-string and 12-string) form the primary harmonic and melodic foundation of the song.
  • The acoustic guitars are very clean, bright, and articulate, with a significant amount of chorus effect.
  • The electric guitar solo is smooth, melodic, and well-integrated into the mix, characteristic of 80s power ballads.
  • Extensive use of studio-grade effects, particularly chorus, delay, and large hall reverbs, contributes to the spacious and lush sound.
  • The overall mix is very polished, with each instrument clearly defined.

Recreation Tips

  • For the acoustic parts: Use a bright 6-string acoustic guitar. A lush chorus (like a Boss CE-2W or Dimension C style) is essential. Apply compression for even dynamics and consider double-tracking your part.
  • If layering, add a 12-string acoustic strumming similar chords.
  • For the electric solo: Use a guitar with humbuckers (bridge position). Dial in a Marshall-style amp for a moderate-to-high gain lead tone. Boost the amp with an overdrive pedal for added sustain and saturation.
  • Use a clean digital delay (around 380-420ms with 2-3 repeats) and a spacious hall reverb for the solo.
  • A subtle chorus can also be added to the electric solo to widen the sound.
  • Focus on clean, precise picking for the acoustic arpeggios. For the solo, work on smooth legato, accurate bending, and expressive vibrato.

Sources