Tone Profile

A raw and aggressive rhythm guitar tone with a fuzzy edge and a slightly scooped midrange, perfect for driving hard rock riffs. It has a gritty and powerful character with plenty of harmonic distortion.

Production Credits

Signal Chain

Recording Notes

• Josh Homme is known for his distinct guitar tones, often achieved through a combination of vintage guitars, tube amps, and fuzz pedals.
• The Yamaha SG is a staple in his arsenal, known for its sustain and thick tone. The Ampeg VT-40 is a vintage tube amp that delivers a powerful and crunchy sound. The Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi adds a layer of fuzz and sustain to the guitar signal.
• Recording techniques likely involved close-miking the amp with a Shure SM57, capturing the raw energy of the performance.

Recreation Tips

• Start with a Yamaha SG or similar humbucker-equipped guitar.
• Use an Ampeg VT-40 or similar vintage tube amp for a gritty and powerful foundation.
• Add an Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi for the signature fuzz tone.
• Experiment with amp and pedal settings to find the right balance of gain and sustain.
• Record with a Shure SM57 close to the amp speaker to capture the raw energy of the performance.

Original Gear

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• Yamaha SGShop on Reverb(guitar)
• Ampeg VT-40Shop on Reverb(amp)
• Electro-Harmonix Big Muff PiShop on Reverb(pedal)
• Shure SM57Shop on Reverb(mic)