What guitar was used on The Tracks of My Tears?

While the exact guitar model hasn't been definitively confirmed in interviews, the tone characteristics suggest a semi-hollow body guitar like a Gibson ES-335. This type of guitar was commonly used by Motown session players for its warm, resonant clean tone.

How to get Smokey Robinson Tracks of My Tears guitar tone?

Start with a semi-hollow guitar into a low-wattage tube amp set clean with slight compression. The key is restraint - use minimal effects, focus on a warm clean tone, and let the natural resonance of the semi-hollow body provide the character.

What amp was used on classic Motown guitar recordings?

Fender amps, particularly the Tweed Deluxe, were commonly used at Hitsville U.S.A. These low-wattage tube amps provided the clean, slightly compressed tone that became synonymous with the Motown guitar sound.

Where was The Tracks of My Tears recorded?

The song was recorded at Hitsville U.S.A. Studio A in Detroit, which was Motown's legendary recording facility. The studio's intimate setup and equipment contributed significantly to the warm, cohesive sound of classic Motown recordings.

lead guitar from "the tracks of my tears" by smokey robinson & the miracles

the tracks of my tears

smokey robinson & the miracles

lead guitar

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Tone Profile

Classic Motown guitar tone: clean, slightly compressed, and warm, providing a melodic counterpoint to the vocals. It's a subtle but crucial element of the song's emotional impact.

Shop This Rig

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Gibson ES-335(instrument)
Fender Tweed Deluxe(amp)
Neumann U67(microphone)

The Story

The lead guitar on "The Tracks of My Tears" was recorded at Hitsville U.S.A. Studio A as part of Motown's signature production approach. The tone represents the classic Motown guitar sound: clean, warm, and sitting perfectly in the mix without competing with Smokey Robinson's vocals. This subtle but melodically important guitar part exemplifies the restrained, musical approach of Motown's session players.

Production Credits

Producer: Smokey Robinson

Engineer: Lawrence Horn

Recorded at: Hitsville U.S.A. (Studio A)

Signal Chain

Instrument: Gibson ES-335Shop on Reverb

Amp: Fender Tweed DeluxeShop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U67Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a semi-hollow guitar like a Gibson ES-335 for its warm and resonant tone.
Use a Fender Tweed Deluxe or a similar low-wattage tube amp for a clean and slightly overdriven sound.
Experiment with microphone placement to find the sweet spot that captures the warmth and clarity of the amp.
Apply gentle compression to the guitar track during mixing to smooth out the dynamics and make it sit well in the mix.
Use a touch of reverb to add some space and depth to the guitar sound.

Original Gear

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Substitutions & Recommendations

Epiphone DotShop on Reverb$400-$500

Alternative to: Gibson ES-335

Semi-hollow construction delivers the warm, resonant tone characteristic of this Motown sound at a budget-friendly price

Fender '57 Custom DeluxeShop on Reverb$1800-$2000

Alternative to: Fender Tweed Deluxe

Hand-wired reissue of the classic tweed circuit that provides the clean, slightly compressed tube warmth heard on the original

Boss Blues Breaker BB-2Shop on Reverb$100-$130

Alternative to: Fender Tweed Deluxe

Provides the gentle tube-style compression and warmth when used with a clean amp, perfect for recreating vintage clean tones

Warm Audio WA-67Shop on Reverb$900-$1000

Alternative to: Neumann U67

Tube condenser microphone that captures the same warm, detailed sound as the original U67 used in classic Motown recordings

Universal Audio 1176 CollectionPlugin Boutique$300-$350

Alternative to: Studio compression chain

Emulates the classic FET compression used to smooth dynamics and help guitar sit perfectly in Motown-style mixes

Sources

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lead guitar from “the tracks of my tears” by smokey robinson & the miracles | ToneDB