What guitar did Peter Buck use on It's the End of the World as We Know It?

Peter Buck used a Rickenbacker 360 to record the rhythm guitar parts on 'It's the End of the World as We Know It.' The Rickenbacker's distinctive jangly pickups and bright tone are essential to the song's characteristic sound.

What amp did R.E.M. use for It's the End of the World rhythm guitar?

The rhythm guitar was recorded through a Vox AC30 amplifier. The AC30's EL84 tubes provide the warm midrange and slight overdrive that complements the Rickenbacker's bright jangle without overpowering it.

How to get R.E.M.'s jangly guitar tone on It's the End of the World?

Use a bright, semi-hollow or hollow body guitar with high-output pickups through a tube amp set to clean or slight breakup. Focus on clarity and note definition rather than heavy distortion, and consider adding light compression to enhance the jangly character.

What studio recorded It's the End of the World as We Know It?

The song was recorded at Ocean Way Recording in Los Angeles, California. Producer Don Gehman and engineer Greg Edward worked on the track, likely using professional microphones like the Neumann U87 to capture the detailed guitar tones.

Can you get R.E.M.'s It's the End of the World guitar tone without a Rickenbacker?

Yes, you can approximate the tone using other semi-hollow or hollow body guitars with bright pickups like an Epiphone Casino or Gretsch Electromatic. The key is finding a guitar that produces clear, jangly tones with good note separation when played through a tube amp.

rhythm guitar from "it's the end of the world as we know it (and i feel fine)" by r.e.m.

it's the end of the world as we know it (and i feel fine)

r.e.m.

rhythm guitar

75% ai confidence

Tone Profile

Bright and jangly with a slightly overdriven edge, providing a rhythmic backbone with clear note definition.

Shop This Rig

ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.

Rickenbacker 360(instrument)
Vox AC30(amp)
Neumann U87(microphone)

The Story

Peter Buck used his Rickenbacker 360 through a Vox AC30 amplifier to achieve the signature jangly rhythm guitar sound on 'It's the End of the World as We Know It.' The combination of the Rickenbacker's bright, chiming pickups and the AC30's characteristic midrange warmth and slight overdrive created the song's distinctive rhythmic backbone. The guitar was likely recorded with a Neumann U87 microphone at Ocean Way Recording with producer Don Gehman and engineer Greg Edward.

Production Credits

Producer: Don Gehman

Engineer: Greg Edward

Recorded at: Ocean Way Recording (Los Angeles, CA)

Signal Chain

Instrument: Rickenbacker 360Shop on Reverb

Amp: Vox AC30Shop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U87Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Use a Rickenbacker-style guitar with high-gain pickups for a similar jangle.
Set your amp to a clean or slightly overdriven setting, focusing on clarity rather than heavy distortion.
Experiment with chorus or compression to enhance the jangly character.

Original Gear

ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.

Substitutions & Recommendations

Epiphone CasinoShop on Reverb$600-$800

Alternative to: Rickenbacker 360

Semi-hollow construction and bright P90-style pickups deliver similar jangle and chime characteristics to the Rickenbacker at a budget-friendly price

Gretsch G6120 Electromatic Hollow BodyShop on Reverb$500-$700

Alternative to: Rickenbacker 360

FilterTron-style pickups and hollow body construction provide the bright, jangly tone with excellent note definition needed for this rhythmic style

Vox AC15C1Shop on Reverb$600-$750

Alternative to: Vox AC30

Same EL84 tube design as AC30 but lower wattage, delivering identical chime and midrange character with natural breakup at reasonable volumes

Universal Audio Dream '65 Reverb Amp PluginPlugin Boutique$149-$299

Alternative to: Vox AC30

Captures the bright, clear amplifier tone with controllable overdrive characteristics similar to the AC30's response

Audio-Technica AT4050Shop on Reverb$400-$500

Alternative to: Neumann U87

Large diaphragm condenser with balanced frequency response that captures the detailed jangle and clarity of the Rickenbacker through the AC30

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Community Insights

No community insights yet. Be the first to contribute!

TONEDB...

rhythm guitar from “it's the end of the world as we know it (and i feel fine)” by r.e.m. | ToneDB