lead guitar from “here comes the sun” by the beatles | ToneDB
here comes the sun
the beatles
lead guitar
Tone Profile
A warm, slightly overdriven tone with a smooth sustain and a touch of compression. It's bright and cheerful, fitting the optimistic vibe of the song.
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The Story
George Harrison played "Here Comes the Sun" on a Fender Stratocaster through a Vox AC30 amplifier, which was recorded at Abbey Road Studios with producer George Martin and engineer Geoff Emerick. The guitar was likely miked with a Neumann U67 microphone, and the signal was processed through a Fairchild 660 compressor to smooth out the dynamics and add sustain. This combination of Harrison's Strat, the AC30's British tube warmth, and the studio's high-end recording chain created the song's distinctive warm, slightly overdriven tone with smooth compression.
Production Credits
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Geoff Emerick
Recorded at: Abbey Road Studios, London
Signal Chain
Instrument: Fender StratocasterShop on Reverb
Microphone: Neumann U67Shop on Reverb
Processing: Fairchild 660Shop on Reverb
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Fender Stratocaster in the bridge or middle position.
- Use a Vox AC30 amp model or a similar British-style amp with a slightly overdriven setting.
- Add a touch of compression to even out the dynamics and increase sustain. Aim for subtle compression; the goal is to enhance the existing tone, not drastically alter it.
- Experiment with EQ to brighten the sound and add clarity without making it harsh.
Original Gear
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- Fender StratocasterShop on Reverb(guitar)
- Vox AC30Shop on Reverb(amp)
- Neumann U67Shop on Reverb(mic)
- Fairchild 660Shop on Reverb(compressor)
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Fender Stratocaster
Modern Mexican-made Strat with the same pickup configuration and bridge/middle positions Harrison used for the bright, clear tone
Alternative to: Vox AC30
Current production AC30 with the same EL84 tube warmth and chime that defined the original Beatles recordings
Alternative to: Vox AC30
Provides the smooth overdrive character of a cranked AC30 at bedroom volumes, perfect for Harrison's warm breakup tone
Alternative to: Fairchild 660 compressor
FET-based compression that mimics the smooth, transparent compression of the original Fairchild used on Beatles recordings
Alternative to: Complete Abbey Road signal chain
Digital recreations of the exact preamps, EQs and compressors used at Abbey Road during the Beatles era, including Fairchild modeling
Frequently Asked Questions
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