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lead guitar from “here comes the sun” by the beatles | ToneDB

here comes the sun

the beatles

lead guitar

AI generatedv1.0

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.

Gear

Fender Stratocasterinstrument
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Vox AC30amp
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Neumann U67microphone
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Fairchild 660processing
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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 Stratocaster

Amp: Vox AC30

Microphone: Neumann U67

Processing: Fairchild 660

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

  • Fender Stratocaster(guitar)
  • Vox AC30(amp)
  • Neumann U67(mic)
  • Fairchild 660(compressor)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Fender Player Stratocaster$700-$850

Alternative to: Fender Stratocaster

Modern Mexican-made Strat with the same pickup configuration and bridge/middle positions Harrison used for the bright, clear tone

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Vox AC30C2X$1500-$1800

Alternative to: Vox AC30

Current production AC30 with the same EL84 tube warmth and chime that defined the original Beatles recordings

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Boss Blues Breaker BB-1X$130-$160

Alternative to: Vox AC30

Provides the smooth overdrive character of a cranked AC30 at bedroom volumes, perfect for Harrison's warm breakup tone

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Origin Effects Cali76 Compact Deluxe$280-$320

Alternative to: Fairchild 660 compressor

FET-based compression that mimics the smooth, transparent compression of the original Fairchild used on Beatles recordings

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Waves Abbey Road Collection$200-$300

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

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Sources

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