TONEDB

rhythm guitar from “hard to handle” by the black crowes | ToneDB

hard to handle

the black crowes

rhythm guitar

90% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A bright, punchy, and slightly overdriven classic rock rhythm tone with a strong midrange bark, achieved with a Telecaster and a cranked British amp in open G tuning.

Signal Chain

Instrument: 1953 Fender Telecaster (or similar vintage-spec Telecaster)

Amp: Marshall 50-watt head (Plexi/JMP, e.g., 1987X or early JMP 2204) with a Marshall 4x12 cabinet (Celestion G12M Greenback speakers)

Microphone: Shure SM57

Other: Open G tuning (DGDGBD). Bridge pickup selected. Guitar volume knob likely used to control gain and dynamics. Potential blend with a Fender amp (e.g., Super Reverb) for added complexity, but the Marshall forms the core crunch.

Recording Notes

  • Recorded for the album *Shake Your Money Maker* (1990).
  • Produced by George Drakoulias, known for capturing raw, energetic rock sounds.
  • Rich Robinson primarily used his 1953 Fender Telecaster and/or a 1968 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop for electric parts on the album.
  • Key amplifiers included a Marshall 50-watt Plexi head and Fender amps like a Super Reverb or Twin.
  • Open G tuning (DGDGBD, often with the low E string removed or tuned down to D) is a signature element of Rich Robinson's style and crucial for this song's feel.
  • The tone relies heavily on natural tube amplifier saturation rather than distortion pedals.

Recreation Tips

  • Tune your guitar to Open G: D-G-D-G-B-D.
  • Use a Telecaster-style guitar on the bridge pickup for brightness and twang.
  • Employ a Marshall-style amplifier (Plexi or JMP circuit) and push the power tubes into light overdrive. A master volume amp can achieve this at lower volumes.
  • If using a separate cabinet, Celestion G12M Greenbacks are recommended for authentic voicing.
  • Control the amount of overdrive and overall dynamics with your picking hand and the guitar's volume knob.
  • Minimize or avoid pedals for the core rhythm tone; let the amp do the work.
  • Experiment with close mic placement, slightly off-center of the speaker cone, if miking an amp.

Sources