What guitar did Dan Auerbach use on Howlin' for You?

Dan Auerbach used a Teisco Del Rey guitar for the rhythm parts on 'Howlin' for You'. Teisco guitars were budget Japanese instruments from the 1960s that The Black Keys frequently use for their distinctive, raw tone.

How to get The Black Keys Howlin for You guitar tone?

The core of this tone comes from a vintage-style guitar (like a Teisco Del Rey) through a Supro amplifier with a Big Muff Pi fuzz pedal. The key is the combination of the guitar's unique pickups, the amp's natural midrange character, and the Big Muff's thick fuzz distortion.

What amp did The Black Keys use on Brothers album?

The Black Keys used Supro amplifiers extensively on the Brothers album, including on 'Howlin' for You'. Supro amps are known for their distinctive midrange growl and were popular in the 1960s before being revived by modern players.

What fuzz pedal sounds like The Black Keys?

The Big Muff Pi is the primary fuzz pedal associated with The Black Keys' sound, including on 'Howlin' for You'. Its thick, sustaining fuzz with prominent midrange is essential to their garage rock tone.

Who produced The Black Keys Howlin for You?

'Howlin' for You' was produced by Danger Mouse (Brian Burton) as part of The Black Keys' Brothers album. This was the band's major-label debut and marked a shift toward a more polished but still raw sound.

rhythm guitar from "howlin' for you" by the black keys

howlin' for you

the black keys

rhythm guitar

75% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A raw and gritty garage rock sound with a fuzzy, overdriven edge. The tone is thick and powerful, providing a solid foundation for the song's driving rhythm.

Shop This Rig

ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.

Teisco Del Rey(instrument)
Supro amplifier(amp)
Shure SM57(microphone)
Big Muff Pi(processing)

The Story

Dan Auerbach recorded the rhythm guitar for 'Howlin' for You' using a Teisco Del Rey guitar through a Supro amplifier with a Big Muff Pi fuzz pedal. The track was recorded with producer Danger Mouse for the Brothers album, capturing The Black Keys' signature raw garage rock aesthetic through their preference for vintage, often obscure gear.

Production Credits

Producer: Danger Mouse

Engineer: Kennie Takahashi

Recorded at: Unknown

Signal Chain

Instrument: Teisco Del ReyShop on Reverb

Amp: Supro amplifierShop on Reverb

Microphone: Shure SM57Shop on Reverb

Processing: Big Muff PiShop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a vintage-style guitar known for its unique sound.
Use a fuzz pedal to achieve the desired level of distortion.
Experiment with microphone placement to capture the raw energy of the performance.
Consider using a small vintage combo amp to add character to the sound.

Original Gear

ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.

Substitutions & Recommendations

Eastwood Airline Map DLXShop on Reverb$600-$700

Alternative to: Teisco Del Rey guitar

Captures the unique tonal character and build quality of vintage Japanese guitars like the Teisco, with similar pickups and construction

Supro Delta King 10 ComboShop on Reverb$400-$500

Alternative to: Supro amplifier

Modern Supro reissue that maintains the brand's distinctive midrange growl and natural tube compression essential to this tone

Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi NYC ReissueShop on Reverb$80-$100

Alternative to: Big Muff Pi fuzz pedal

Current production version of the classic fuzz circuit that provides the thick, sustaining distortion heard on the track

Way Huge Russian PickleShop on Reverb$150-$180

Alternative to: Big Muff Pi fuzz pedal

Premium alternative that captures the specific Big Muff voicing with added versatility for dialing in the exact fuzz character

Danelectro 59M NOS+ ModifiedShop on Reverb$300-$400