TONEDB

lead guitar from “signed, sealed, delivered i'm yours” by stevie wonder | ToneDB

signed, sealed, delivered i'm yours

stevie wonder

lead guitar

85% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A bright, percussive, and iconic Motown lead sound, featuring a distinct sitar-like twang in the main riff, transitioning to cleaner, articulate DI guitar tones for fills.

Signal Chain

Instrument: Danelectro Coral Electric Sitar (or similar model)

Amp: Direct Input into Motown custom console (e.g., with Langevin or UTC preamps/EQs)

Processing: Console Compression (e.g., Urei LA-3A, Fairchild 660/670), Studio Reverb (Echo Chamber or Plate Reverb, used subtly)

Other: This chain is primarily for the iconic intro riff. Picked close to the 'Gotoh buzz bridge' for characteristic sympathetic string drone and twang. Volume and tone knobs on full.

Recording Notes

  • Recorded at Motown's Hitsville U.S.A. Studio A in Detroit.
  • Heavy reliance on Direct Injection (DI) for guitars, bass, and keyboards to achieve clarity and punch.
  • Guitars were often plugged directly into the custom-built Motown mixing console, which featured high-quality transformers and EQs.
  • Compression was a key element of the Motown sound, applied both during tracking and mixing to control dynamics and add sustain.
  • The session musicians, The Funk Brothers (including guitarist Dennis Coffey on this track), were renowned for their tight, impeccable performances.
  • The electric sitar became a fashionable sound in the late 1960s and was used on several Motown tracks for its unique texture.

Recreation Tips

  • For the intro riff, an electric sitar (like a Danelectro or a Jerry Jones) or a good sitar emulation pedal (e.g., Electro-Harmonix Ravish Sitar) is highly recommended.
  • If using a standard guitar for the intro, select the bridge pickup on a bright guitar (like a Telecaster), pick very close to the bridge saddles, and use heavy compression to emphasize the attack and percussive nature.
  • For all lead parts, plug directly into your audio interface. Use a clean preamp setting or a DI box.
  • Apply a fast-acting compressor (like an 1176 or LA-3A style plugin/pedal) to get the punchy, controlled Motown sound. Don't overdo it, but make sure it evens out the dynamics.
  • Use a short plate reverb or a small room reverb emulation sparingly for a sense of space, typical of Motown productions.
  • Boost upper-mid and high frequencies with EQ if needed to achieve the characteristic brightness, but avoid harshness.
  • Focus on clean, precise picking and articulation.

Sources