lead guitar from “lonely boy” by the black keys | ToneDB
lonely boy
the black keys
lead guitar
AI generatedv1.0
Tone Profile
A raw, overdriven guitar sound with a fuzzy edge, reminiscent of classic blues-rock tones but with a modern, gritty twist. It’s thick and saturated, yet retains clarity and punch, cutting through the mix with authority.
Gear
- Fender Telecasterinstrument
- ReverbSweetwater
- Supro Thunderboltamp
- Reverb$699Sweetwater
- Shure SM57microphone
- ReverbSweetwater
- MXR Blue Boxprocessing
- Reverb$90Sweetwater
- Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Piprocessing
- ReverbSweetwater
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The Story
Dan Auerbach recorded the lead guitar for 'Lonely Boy' using a Fender Telecaster through a vintage Supro Thunderbolt amp, with fuzz provided by an Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi and the distinctive octave-down fuzz from an MXR Blue Box. The track was recorded at Easy Eye Sound Studio in Nashville, produced by Danger Mouse and engineered by Tchad Blake, with multiple guitar layers creating the thick, saturated sound.
Production Credits
Producer: Danger Mouse
Engineer: Tchad Blake
Recorded at: Easy Eye Sound Studio, Nashville, TN
Signal Chain
Instrument: Fender Telecaster
Amp: Supro Thunderbolt
Microphone: Shure SM57
Processing: MXR Blue Box, Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Fender Telecaster into a Supro Thunderbolt amp for a similar base tone.
- Experiment with fuzz pedals like the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi to achieve the desired level of saturation and fuzz.
- Use an MXR Blue Box for added octave fuzz to create unique textures and sonic chaos.
- Consider double-tracking the guitar parts and panning them slightly to create a wider, thicker sound.
- Focus on capturing a raw and energetic performance to emulate the vibe of the original recording.
Original Gear
- Fender Telecaster(guitar)
- Supro Thunderbolt(amp)
- Shure SM57(mic)
- MXR Blue Box(pedal)
- Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi(pedal)
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Supro Thunderbolt amp
Modern Supro amp with the same tube-driven character and vintage voicing as Dan's original Thunderbolt
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi
The exact same fuzz pedal used on the original recording, still in current production
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: MXR Blue Box
The same octave fuzz pedal that creates the distinctive low-end texture on the original track
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Fender Telecaster
Budget-friendly Telecaster with vintage-style pickups that delivers the bright, cutting tone needed for this sound
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Supro Thunderbolt amp
Digital recreation of vintage Supro amps including the Thunderbolt, perfect for home recording setups
ReverbSweetwaterSources
Frequently Asked Questions
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