Tone Profile

The lead guitar tone in "Black Star" is characterized by its clean, shimmering sound with subtle overdrive and a touch of chorus, creating a melancholic and atmospheric texture.

Production Credits

Signal Chain

Recording Notes

• The guitar was likely recorded with the amp in a moderately sized room to capture some natural ambience.
• The Tube Screamer is used sparingly to add a slight grit and sustain, while the chorus thickens the sound without making it overly processed.
• The U87 was positioned to capture a balanced tone from the Vox AC30, likely slightly off-axis to reduce harshness.

Recreation Tips

• Start with a clean Telecaster tone through a Vox AC30.
• Introduce a subtle overdrive using the Ibanez Tube Screamer, keeping the gain low.
• Add a gentle chorus effect with the Boss CE-1 to create a shimmering quality.
• Experiment with microphone placement to find the sweet spot on the amp, focusing on capturing a balanced and clear sound.

Original Gear

• Fender Telecaster(guitar)
• Vox AC30(amp)
• Neumann U87(mic)
• Ibanez Tube Screamer(pedal)
• Boss CE-1(pedal)