rhythm guitar from “black hole sun” by soundgarden | ToneDB
black hole sun
soundgarden
rhythm guitar
Tone Profile
A thick, slightly fuzzy, and swirling rhythm guitar tone that's both heavy and psychedelic. It’s defined by its detuned sound and prominent use of modulation effects.
Shop This Rig
ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
The Story
The rhythm guitar tone on "Black Hole Sun" comes from Kim Thayil's setup featuring a Gretsch Duo Jet through a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier, tuned to C# standard. The characteristic swirling quality comes from running the signal through a Leslie speaker cabinet, while an Arbiter Fuzz Face adds the saturated, slightly gated distortion. The track was recorded at Bad Animals Studio in Seattle with producer Michael Beinhorn.
Production Credits
Producer: Michael Beinhorn
Engineer: Matt Bayles
Recorded at: Bad Animals Studio, Seattle
Signal Chain
Instrument: Gretsch Duo JetShop on Reverb
Amp: Mesa/Boogie Dual RectifierShop on Reverb
Microphone: Shure SM57Shop on Reverb
Processing: Arbiter Fuzz FaceShop on Reverb, Leslie SpeakerShop on Reverb
Recreation Tips
- Start with a guitar equipped with humbucker pickups for a thick sound.
- Tune your guitar to C# standard tuning.
- Use a fuzz pedal to achieve a saturated and slightly gated distortion. Experiment with different fuzz pedals to find one that suits your taste.
- Route your signal through a Leslie speaker (or a Leslie simulator pedal) to get the swirling modulation effect.
- Use a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier amp model (or a similar high-gain amp) to achieve the core distorted tone.
- Blend the fuzz and Leslie signals to taste. Experiment with different levels and panning to find the right balance.
- Use a dynamic microphone like the Shure SM57 to capture the amp's sound.
Original Gear
ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Gretsch Duo Jet
Provides similar humbucker thickness for the heavy, detuned rhythm tone at a budget-friendly price
Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
Includes excellent Dual Rectifier modeling that captures the tight, saturated high-gain character
Alternative to: Arbiter Fuzz Face
Modern recreation of the classic Fuzz Face circuit that provides the gated, saturated fuzz texture
Alternative to: Leslie Speaker
Accurately recreates the swirling Leslie speaker modulation essential to the song's psychedelic character
Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
The exact same amp model used on the recording for authentic high-gain Rectifier tone
Frequently Asked Questions
Community Insights
No community insights yet. Be the first to contribute!