TONEDB

lead guitar from “black hole sun” by soundgarden | ToneDB

black hole sun

soundgarden

lead guitar

90% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A thick, searing high-gain lead tone with a prominent, swirling Leslie speaker effect and expressive wah, creating a psychedelic and heavy sound.

Signal Chain

Instrument: Gibson Les Paul Custom (likely in Drop D tuning: D-A-D-G-B-E)

Amp: Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier Head (or Tremo-Verb) on High Gain channel, driving a Marshall 4x12 cabinet

Microphone: Shure SM57 (on Marshall cabinet)

Processing: Dunlop GCB95 Cry Baby Wah, Leslie Model 147 (or similar model like 122) Rotary Speaker (set to fast speed, typically mic'd with two microphones, e.g., Shure SM57s, one on the horn and one on the bass rotor)

Other: The signal from the Mesa/Boogie amp was likely split, with one path to the Marshall cabinet and another feeding the Leslie speaker. These signals were then blended during mixing to achieve the final sound. The wah pedal is used expressively for filter sweeps throughout the solo.

Recording Notes

  • The most distinctive element of the solo is the Leslie rotary speaker effect, set to its fast speed, creating a rich, swirling modulation.
  • Kim Thayil primarily used a Gibson Les Paul Custom for this solo.
  • The song, including the solo section, is in Drop D tuning (D A D G B E).
  • The solo was an overdub, carefully crafted with producer Michael Beinhorn and engineer Brendan O'Brien at Bad Animals Studio, Seattle.
  • Expressive use of a wah pedal contributes significantly to the solo's character.
  • The blend between the direct mic'd Marshall cabinet and the mic'd Leslie cabinet was crucial for the final texture, balancing clarity with the intense modulation.

Recreation Tips

  • Use a humbucker-equipped guitar like a Gibson Les Paul, Gibson SG, or Guild S-100.
  • A high-gain tube amplifier is essential; a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (or a modeler with an accurate emulation) is ideal. Use a high-gain channel (e.g., Vintage High Gain on a Rectifier).
  • A Leslie speaker effect is non-negotiable. If a real Leslie cabinet is unavailable, use a high-quality Leslie simulator pedal (e.g., Strymon Lex, Neo Ventilator II, Electro-Harmonix Lester G/K) or plugin. Ensure it's set to the 'fast' speed.
  • Place a wah pedal (like a Dunlop Cry Baby) before your amp and Leslie effect. Practice using it for smooth, expressive filter sweeps synchronized with your playing.
  • Experiment with blending a 'dry' or direct amp signal with the 'wet' Leslie signal. This can help retain pick attack and note definition, which can sometimes be lost in a full Leslie effect.
  • Pay attention to Kim Thayil's phrasing, vibrato, and bending, as these playing techniques interact with the Leslie and wah to create the overall feel.

Sources