TONEDB

lead guitar from “mind mischief” by tame impala | ToneDB

mind mischief

tame impala

lead guitar

88% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A swirling, psychedelic lead tone drenched in fuzz and phaser, characterized by its chewy, compressed sustain and a dreamy, vintage-inspired vibe.

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender Stratocaster or Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster

Amp: Vox AC30HW (Hand-Wired)

Microphone: Shure SM57

Processing: MXR Dyna Comp, Boss GE-7 Equalizer, Dunlop JHF1 Fuzz Face, Electro-Harmonix Small Stone Phaser, Boss DM-2W Waza Craft Delay, Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Nano Reverb

Other: Primary tone often derived from a pedalboard-to-DI signal path, heavily processed, then potentially blended with or replacing the mic'd amp.

Recording Notes

  • Kevin Parker heavily utilized a direct input (DI) signal path for guitars on 'Lonerism', running his pedalboard into a preamp (e.g., Neve 1073 or API 312 style) and then to the recorder.
  • The heavily processed DI signal is often the dominant guitar sound, sometimes re-amped or blended with a traditionally mic'd amplifier like the Vox AC30.
  • Signature heavy compression via pedals (MXR Dyna Comp) and likely further studio compression during mixing.
  • The Electro-Harmonix Small Stone phaser is a crucial element, providing the characteristic swirling texture, typically with a slow to medium sweep rate.
  • A Fuzz Face (Dunlop JHF1) provides the core distorted tone, often manipulated with the guitar's volume knob for varying intensity.
  • Tape saturation (either from actual tape recording or emulation) contributes to the warm, slightly lo-fi, and cohesive sound of the album.
  • Subtle use of analog delay (like a Boss DM-2) adds depth without cluttering the mix.

Recreation Tips

  • Use a Fender-style guitar (Stratocaster, Jazzmaster) for its bright, articulate character.
  • Place a compressor (e.g., MXR Dyna Comp) early in the signal chain with settings for noticeable squish and enhanced sustain.
  • Drive a Fuzz Face style pedal hard, but use your guitar's volume control to tame it or make it spit.
  • A phaser (EHX Small Stone or similar) after fuzz is essential for the swirling psychedelic effect; experiment with the rate.
  • Incorporate a short, subtle analog or tape-style delay and a touch of spring or plate reverb (from pedal or amp) for ambience.
  • Experiment with recording your pedalboard direct into your audio interface via a DI box. A preamp plugin can add color.
  • Don't shy away from pushing levels for saturation, especially if using the DI method.
  • A mid-boost from an EQ pedal (like Boss GE-7) before the fuzz can help the lead guitar cut through the mix.

Sources