lead guitar from “interstate love song” by stone temple pilots | ToneDB
interstate love song
stone temple pilots
lead guitar
Tone Profile
A thick, slightly fuzzy, and warm overdrive tone that's both melodic and powerful. It has a touch of harmonic richness and sustain, perfect for expressive lead lines.
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The Story
Dean DeLeo recorded the lead guitar parts for 'Interstate Love Song' using a Gibson Les Paul through a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier amplifier. The recording was done at Southern Tracks studio in Atlanta with producer Brendan O'Brien, who was known for his work capturing thick, powerful rock tones. The overdrive comes primarily from the Dual Rectifier's high-gain channel, with additional coloring from effects like a Dunlop Cry Baby wah and MXR Phase 90.
Production Credits
Producer: Brendan O'Brien
Engineer: Nick DiDia
Recorded at: Southern Tracks (Atlanta, GA)
Signal Chain
Instrument: Gibson Les PaulShop on Reverb
Amp: Mesa/Boogie Dual RectifierShop on Reverb
Microphone: Shure SM57Shop on Reverb
Processing: Dunlop Cry Baby WahShop on Reverb, MXR Phase 90Shop on Reverb
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Gibson Les Paul or similar humbucker-equipped guitar.
- Use the bridge pickup for a brighter, more cutting tone.
- Set the Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier to a moderately high gain setting, focusing on a thick, warm overdrive rather than extreme distortion.
- Experiment with the Dunlop Cry Baby Wah to add some tonal color.
- Use a Shure SM57 or similar dynamic microphone positioned close to the speaker cone.
- Slightly boost the mids to enhance the warmth and presence of the guitar.
- Add a touch of MXR Phase 90 for subtle movement and character.
- Double-track the guitar parts for added thickness and dimension.
Original Gear
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Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Gibson Les Paul
Provides the essential humbucker pickup sound and mahogany body tone needed for DeLeo's thick lead sound at a budget-friendly price
Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
Official Mesa plugin that captures the exact Dual Rectifier tube saturation and warmth heard on the original recording
Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
15-watt tube head that delivers similar high-gain warmth and thickness as the Dual Rectifier but at lower volumes
Alternative to: MXR Phase 90
The same circuit as used on the original recording, providing that subtle phase sweep character
Alternative to: Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
The current production version of the classic wah pedal used for tonal coloring on the track
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