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lead guitar from “chandelier” by sia | ToneDB

chandelier

sia

lead guitar

90% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A bright, jangly, and spacious lead guitar tone, achieved with a Gretsch Country Gentleman through Logic Pro's amp modelers and effects, characterized by clean arpeggios, prominent tape delay, and lush reverb.

Signal Chain

Instrument: Gretsch Country Gentleman

Amp: Apple Logic Pro Amp Designer (likely 'British Combo' for Vox AC30 emulation or 'Small Tweed Combo' for Fender Tweed emulation, clean settings)

Processing: Apple Logic Pro Tape Delay (synced, likely dotted 8th or quarter note, moderate mix and feedback), Apple Logic Pro Space Designer (using a plate or hall impulse response for lush, spacious reverb), Apple Logic Pro Compressor (light settings for dynamic control and sustain), Apple Logic Pro Channel EQ (to enhance brightness, clarity, and remove muddiness)

Other: Guitar recorded Direct Input (DI) into an audio interface, then processed entirely within Logic Pro. The sound relies heavily on clean, arpeggiated playing and the interaction of delay and reverb.

Recording Notes

  • Greg Kurstin, the producer and co-writer, played all guitars on the track.
  • The primary guitar used for the lead parts was a Gretsch Country Gentleman.
  • The guitar signal was recorded directly (DI) into Logic Pro.
  • All amp simulation and effects processing were done using Logic Pro's built-in plugins, specifically Amp Designer, Tape Delay, and Space Designer.
  • The lead guitar part is characterized by its clean, jangly, and arpeggiated nature, especially in the choruses.

Recreation Tips

  • Use a guitar with humbuckers that can produce a bright, clear, and jangly tone, such as a Gretsch or a similar hollow-body/semi-hollow guitar. Filter'Tron style pickups are ideal.
  • If using Logic Pro, experiment with the 'British Combo' (Vox AC30 type) or 'Small Tweed Combo' (Fender Tweed type) presets in Amp Designer on a clean setting.
  • For non-Logic users, aim for a clean Vox AC30 or Fender Tweed amp model or physical amp.
  • Set up a tape delay emulation synced to the song's tempo (around 174 BPM for Chandelier). A dotted eighth note or quarter note delay with 2-3 repeats and a moderate mix level works well.
  • Apply a spacious reverb, preferably a plate or hall type, with a medium to long decay time to create an ambient, ethereal feel. Convolution reverb with good impulse responses can be very effective.
  • Use light compression to even out the dynamics of the arpeggiated parts and add a touch of sustain.
  • Focus on a clean picking technique, ensuring each note in the arpeggios rings out clearly.

Sources