What guitar did John Frusciante use on Under the Bridge?

John Frusciante used a Fender Stratocaster for the lead guitar parts on "Under the Bridge." The single-coil pickups provided the bright, articulate foundation for the song's clean tone.

How to get John Frusciante's Under the Bridge tone?

Start with a clean Stratocaster tone, add compression with an MXR Dyna Comp, then apply chorus with a Boss CE-1 or similar vintage-style chorus pedal. Use a clean Marshall amp setting with moderate reverb for the complete sound.

What chorus pedal did John Frusciante use on Under the Bridge?

John Frusciante used a Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble on "Under the Bridge." This vintage chorus pedal creates the distinctive liquid, warbling effect that's central to the song's guitar sound.

What amp did John Frusciante use on Blood Sugar Sex Magik?

John Frusciante used a Marshall Major amplifier during the Blood Sugar Sex Magik sessions, including on "Under the Bridge." This rare vintage Marshall head provided the clean foundation for his chorus-heavy tones.

Did John Frusciante use distortion on Under the Bridge?

No, "Under the Bridge" features a completely clean guitar tone. The sustain and thickness comes from compression via an MXR Dyna Comp, not from overdrive or distortion.

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Tone Profile

The lead guitar tone is clean, chorused, and slightly compressed, with a touch of reverb. It has a warm, mellow quality that complements the song's melancholic mood.

Shop This Rig

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Fender Stratocaster(instrument)
Marshall Major(amp)
Shure SM57(microphone)
Boss CE-1(processing)
MXR Dyna Comp(processing)

The Story

John Frusciante's lead guitar tone on "Under the Bridge" was recorded using a Fender Stratocaster through a Marshall Major amp, captured with a Shure SM57 microphone at The Mansion studio in Los Angeles. The signal chain included a Boss CE-1 chorus pedal and MXR Dyna Comp compressor, creating the signature clean, chorused sound that defines the song. Rick Rubin produced the track with Brendan O'Brien engineering during the Blood Sugar Sex Magik sessions.

Production Credits

Producer: Rick Rubin

Engineer: Brendan O'Brien

Recorded at: The Mansion (Los Angeles)

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender StratocasterShop on Reverb

Amp: Marshall MajorShop on Reverb

Microphone: Shure SM57Shop on Reverb

Processing: Boss CE-1Shop on Reverb, MXR Dyna CompShop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Use a compressor to even out the dynamics and add sustain.
Start with a clean Stratocaster tone and add a subtle chorus effect.
Experiment with different amplifier settings to find a warm, mellow tone.
Consider using a combination of close-miking and room miking to capture a natural sound.

Original Gear

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Fender StratocasterShop on Reverb(guitar)
Marshall MajorShop on Reverb(amp)
Shure SM57Shop on Reverb(mic)
Boss CE-1Shop on Reverb(pedal)
MXR Dyna CompShop on Reverb(pedal)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Boss CE-2W Waza Craft ChorusShop on Reverb$180-$220

Alternative to: Boss CE-1 Chorus

Provides the vintage CE-1 voicing that creates the essential liquid chorus movement heard on the track

MXR Dyna Comp M102Shop on Reverb$80-$100

Alternative to: MXR Dyna Comp

Same model compressor for the exact sustain and dynamic control used on the original recording

Marshall DSL40CRShop on Reverb$500-$600

Alternative to: Marshall Major amp

Provides similar Marshall clean tones with the warmth and headroom needed for this chorused clean sound

Fender Player StratocasterShop on Reverb$650-$750

Alternative to: Fender Stratocaster

Delivers the classic single-coil Strat pickup tone that forms the foundation of this sound

UAD CE-1 Chorus Echo PluginPlugin Boutique$150-$200