lead guitar from “hunted down” by soundgarden | ToneDB
hunted down
soundgarden
lead guitar
Tone Profile
A raw, aggressive, and slightly chaotic guitar tone, characterized by its fuzz-driven distortion and biting high-end. It's the sound of early grunge – unpolished and visceral.
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The Story
The lead guitar on "Hunted Down" was recorded with a Fender Stratocaster through a Pro Co RAT distortion pedal into a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ amp, with the signal captured using a Shure SM57 microphone. The track was recorded at Reciprocal Recording in Seattle with Jack Endino producing and engineering, which was typical for many early grunge recordings. The setup delivered the raw, aggressive fuzz-driven distortion that became a hallmark of Soundgarden's early sound.
Production Credits
Producer: Jack Endino
Engineer: Jack Endino
Recorded at: Reciprocal Recording (Seattle, WA)
Signal Chain
Instrument: Fender StratocasterShop on Reverb
Amp: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+Shop on Reverb
Microphone: Shure SM57Shop on Reverb
Processing: Pro Co RATShop on Reverb
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Stratocaster-style guitar for that single-coil bite.
- Use a Pro Co RAT to achieve the core distortion sound.
- Dial in a Mesa/Boogie amp for a bright but tight sound to avoid muddiness.
- A dynamic mic like an SM57 close to the cabinet will capture the direct, aggressive tone.
- Experiment with amp and RAT settings to find the sweet spot between fuzz and definition.
Original Gear
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Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Pro Co RAT
The current production RAT 2 delivers the same aggressive distortion character as vintage RATs, providing that essential fuzz-driven bite
Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+
The Mark VII includes the IIC+ mode that recreates the tight, bright character of the original Mark IIC+ used on this recording
Alternative to: Pro Co RAT
Offers multiple RAT variations in one pedal, including vintage modes that can nail the early grunge RAT sound
Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+
Includes accurate Mesa/Boogie Mark series modeling that can capture the tight, aggressive character needed for this tone
Alternative to: Fender Stratocaster
Provides authentic single-coil Stratocaster bite and clarity at a budget-friendly price point
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