What guitar did Kevin Parker use on Less I Know The Better?

Kevin Parker used a Fender Stratocaster for the lead guitar parts on 'Less I Know The Better.' The Stratocaster's bright single-coil pickups contribute to the articulate, cutting tone heard in the track.

How to get Tame Impala's chorus sound on Less I Know The Better?

The chorus sound comes from layering a Boss CE-1 chorus pedal with the built-in chorus of a Roland JC-120 amplifier. This double chorus effect creates the characteristic swirling, psychedelic texture that defines the lead guitar tone.

What amp did Tame Impala use for Currents album?

Kevin Parker primarily used a Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus amplifier for guitar parts on the Currents album, including 'Less I Know The Better.' The JC-120's clean tone and built-in chorus are signature elements of his sound.

Can you recreate Tame Impala guitar tone without a JC-120?

Yes, you can approximate the tone using any clean amplifier combined with a quality chorus pedal like the Boss CE-2W or TC Electronic Corona. The key is achieving a pristine clean tone with lush chorus modulation.

What chorus pedal sounds like Tame Impala?

The Boss CE-1 was used on the original recording, but the Boss CE-2W Waza Craft offers both vintage CE-1 and CE-2 modes. For budget options, the TC Electronic Corona can achieve similar psychedelic chorus textures.

lead guitar from "less i know the better" by tame impala

less i know the better

tame impala

lead guitar

85% ai confidence

Tone Profile

This lead guitar tone is characterized by its psychedelic, slightly chorus-soaked vibe with a bright and articulate top end. It's a clean yet present sound that cuts through the mix with a distinctive character.

Shop This Rig

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Fender Stratocaster(instrument)
Roland JC-120(amp)
Boss CE-1(processing)

The Story

Kevin Parker recorded this lead guitar part using a Fender Stratocaster through a Roland JC-120 amplifier with a Boss CE-1 chorus pedal. The recording was done at Parker's home studio in Fremantle, Western Australia, with Parker handling both production and engineering duties. The Roland JC-120's built-in chorus combined with the external Boss CE-1 creates the characteristic swirling, psychedelic texture that defines this lead tone.

Production Credits

Producer: Kevin Parker

Engineer: Kevin Parker

Recorded at: Fremantle, Western Australia

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender StratocasterShop on Reverb

Amp: Roland JC-120Shop on Reverb

Processing: Boss CE-1Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a Fender Stratocaster-style guitar for a similar bright and articulate tone.
Use the Roland JC-120 amp's clean channel or a similar clean amp simulator as your base tone.
Add a chorus effect, ideally a Boss CE-1 or a similar chorus pedal, and adjust the settings to achieve a lush, swirling effect.
Experiment with slight overdrive or fuzz to add a touch of grit if needed, but keep the overall tone relatively clean.
Consider double-tracking the guitar part and panning the tracks slightly to create a wider stereo image.

Original Gear

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Fender StratocasterShop on Reverb(guitar)
Roland JC-120Shop on Reverb(amp)
Boss CE-1Shop on Reverb(pedal)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Boss CE-2W Waza Craft ChorusShop on Reverb$150-$180

Alternative to: Boss CE-1 Chorus

Offers both CE-1 and CE-2 vintage chorus modes, capturing the lush swirling texture essential to this psychedelic lead tone

Universal Audio UAD JC-120 PluginPlugin Boutique$150-$200

Alternative to: Roland JC-120 Amplifier

Accurately models the JC-120's pristine clean tone and built-in chorus, perfect for recreating Parker's recording chain in the box

Fender Player StratocasterShop on Reverb$750-$850

Alternative to: Fender Stratocaster

Provides the bright, articulate single-coil pickup tone essential for cutting through the mix with clarity

Boss JC-40 Jazz ChorusShop on Reverb$400-$500

Alternative to: Roland JC-120 Amplifier

Smaller version of the JC-120 with the same clean headroom and built-in chorus character at a more accessible price point

TC Electronic Corona ChorusShop on Reverb$100-$130