What guitar did Dan Auerbach use on Tighten Up?

Dan Auerbach used a Teisco Del Rey guitar on "Tighten Up." These vintage Japanese guitars from the 1960s are known for their unique pickup sound and slightly unpredictable character that fits perfectly with garage rock.

What amp did The Black Keys use on Brothers album?

Dan Auerbach used a Supro Model 24 amplifier for "Tighten Up" and other tracks on the Brothers album. Supro amps are known for their distinctive midrange growl and natural tube compression.

How to get The Black Keys Tighten Up guitar tone?

The key is using a bright, cutting guitar through a tube amp with natural compression and midrange focus. A fuzz pedal can help achieve the driven, garage rock character if your amp doesn't naturally break up enough.

Who produced The Black Keys Brothers album?

The Brothers album, which includes "Tighten Up," was produced by Danger Mouse (Brian Burton). This was a significant shift from their earlier self-produced work and helped bring a more polished sound to their garage rock style.

Where was The Black Keys Tighten Up recorded?

"Tighten Up" was recorded at Brooklyn Recording in Brooklyn, NYC. The album was engineered by Kennie Takahashi and marked The Black Keys' first major studio recording experience.

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Tone Profile

A raw and gritty garage rock guitar tone with a fuzzy edge. The sound is driven and powerful, cutting through the mix with a slightly lo-fi character.

Shop This Rig

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Teisco Del Rey(instrument)
Supro Model 24(amp)
Shure SM57(microphone)

The Story

Dan Auerbach recorded "Tighten Up" using a Teisco Del Rey guitar through a Supro Model 24 amplifier, captured with a Shure SM57 microphone. The album was recorded at Brooklyn Recording in Brooklyn, NYC with producer Danger Mouse and engineer Kennie Takahashi. This setup delivered the raw, fuzzy garage rock sound that became central to The Black Keys' commercial breakthrough.

Production Credits

Producer: Danger Mouse

Engineer: Kennie Takahashi

Recorded at: Brooklyn Recording (Brooklyn, NYC)

Signal Chain

Instrument: Teisco Del ReyShop on Reverb

Amp: Supro Model 24Shop on Reverb

Microphone: Shure SM57Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Use a fuzz pedal with a lot of character and don't be afraid to crank the gain.
Experiment with different mic placements to capture the amp's raw sound.
Try blending a direct guitar signal with the miked amp for added clarity and punch.
Consider using a ribbon microphone to capture a warmer tone.
Focus on playing with intensity and aggression to match Dan Auerbach's style.

Original Gear

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Substitutions & Recommendations

Eastwood Sidejack DLXShop on Reverb$450-$550

Alternative to: Teisco Del Rey

Captures the jangly, slightly unpredictable tone of vintage Japanese guitars with similar pickup configuration and build quality

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

Alternative to: Supro Model 24

Modern Supro that maintains the brand's signature midrange growl and natural tube compression that made the original Model 24 perfect for garage rock

Squier Classic Vibe JazzmasterShop on Reverb$350-$450

Alternative to: Teisco Del Rey

Offers similar offset body design and bright, cutting pickup tone that works well for gritty garage rock tones

Vox AC15C1Shop on Reverb$650-$750

Alternative to: Supro Model 24

Delivers similar tube saturation and midrange focus that helps achieve that driven garage rock sound

Big Muff Pi fuzz pedalShop on Reverb$80-$120

Alternative to: Overall signal chain

Adds the fuzzy, compressed character essential to The Black Keys' garage rock sound when used with a clean or edge-of-breakup amp

Sources

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