lead guitar from “helter skelter” by the beatles | ToneDB

helter skelter

the beatles

lead guitar

75% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A raw, overdriven, and slightly fuzzy guitar tone with a bright, aggressive edge. It's a proto-hard rock sound, characterized by its distorted and energetic character.

Production Credits

Producer: George Martin

Engineer: Geoff Emerick

Recorded at: Abbey Road Studios, London

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender Esquire

Amp: Vox AC30

Recording Notes

  • The guitar was likely recorded live in the studio alongside the other instruments.
  • The overdriven sound was achieved by cranking the Vox AC30 amplifier.
  • The Beatles often experimented with mic placement and recording techniques to achieve unique sounds.

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a Fender Esquire or Telecaster-style guitar.
  • Use a Vox AC30 amplifier and drive the gain to achieve a raw, overdriven tone.
  • Experiment with the amp's EQ settings to find a bright and aggressive sound.
  • If needed, add a fuzz pedal to further enhance the distortion.
  • Consider using a compressor to even out the dynamics and add sustain.

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