What guitar did Dan Auerbach use on Lonely Boy?

Dan Auerbach used a Fender Telecaster for the lead guitar parts on 'Lonely Boy'. The Telecaster's bright, cutting tone provides the foundation for the song's distinctive fuzzy guitar sound.

What amp did The Black Keys use on Lonely Boy?

The guitar was recorded through a vintage Supro Thunderbolt amplifier. Supro amps are known for their unique tube-driven character and were a key part of Dan Auerbach's signature sound during this era.

How to get The Black Keys Lonely Boy guitar tone?

Start with a Telecaster into a Supro amp, then add an Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi for fuzz and an MXR Blue Box for octave-down texture. Layer multiple guitar tracks and focus on capturing a raw, energetic performance to match the original vibe.

What fuzz pedal did Dan Auerbach use on Lonely Boy?

Dan Auerbach used an Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi for the main fuzz tone, combined with an MXR Blue Box for additional octave fuzz effects. This combination creates the thick, saturated guitar sound that defines the song.

lead guitar from "lonely boy" by the black keys

lonely boy

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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.

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

Substitutions & Recommendations

Supro Blues King 12$600-$700

Alternative to: Supro Thunderbolt amp

Modern Supro amp with the same tube-driven character and vintage voicing as Dan's original Thunderbolt

Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi$80-$100

Alternative to: Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi

The exact same fuzz pedal used on the original recording, still in current production

MXR Blue Box$150-$180

Alternative to: MXR Blue Box

The same octave fuzz pedal that creates the distinctive low-end texture on the original track

Squier Classic Vibe 50s Telecaster$400-$450

Alternative to: Fender Telecaster

Budget-friendly Telecaster with vintage-style pickups that delivers the bright, cutting tone needed for this sound

Universal Audio Supro amp plugins$150-$200

Alternative to: Supro Thunderbolt amp

Digital recreation of vintage Supro amps including the Thunderbolt, perfect for home recording setups

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

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lead guitar from “lonely boy” by the black keys | ToneDB