Tone Profile

A delicate, glassy, and articulate clean electric guitar tone with a percussive attack and subtle dynamic nuances, defining the song's introspective intro and verses.

Signal Chain

Recording Notes

• The guitar tone is notably dry, with minimal studio reverb or delay applied to the primary track, emphasizing the amp's natural sound and the room.
• Close miking technique was likely used to capture the direct sound of the amplifier.
• John Frusciante's dynamic playing style is crucial to the feel of the part; the recording captures a wide dynamic range.
• The guitar was likely recorded in a well-treated studio room at the Rubin-owned mansion, The Mansion, in Laurel Canyon.

Recreation Tips

• If a Fender Jaguar is unavailable, a Fender Stratocaster (neck or neck/middle pickup) or Telecaster (neck pickup) can approximate the tone. Aim for a bright, slightly thin, and percussive sound.
• Use a compressor very subtly to even out dynamics and add a touch of sustain without squashing the natural attack.
• Set the amplifier for a very clean tone with plenty of headroom. Avoid amp distortion.
• Practice fingerpicking or using a very light pick attack to achieve the soft, articulate quality of the original.
• For the arpeggiated rhythm parts heard later in the song (e.g., under the 'I don't ever want to feel...' vocal line), a Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble (or a similar analog chorus pedal) is essential.
• Experiment with the guitar's volume and tone controls to fine-tune the brightness and output.

Recommended Gear

• Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jaguar(Guitar)
• Fender Player Jaguar(Guitar)
• Marshall SV20H Studio Vintage Plexi Head(Amp)
• Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue(Amp)
• MXR M102 Dyna Comp Compressor(Pedal)
• Boss CE-2W Waza Craft Chorus(Pedal)
• Shure SM57(Mic)
• Neumann U 87 Ai(Mic)