What guitar did The Clash use on Should I Stay or Should I Go?

The Clash used a Gibson ES-335 semi-hollow body electric guitar for the lead guitar parts on 'Should I Stay or Should I Go.' This guitar's warm, slightly compressed tone is key to the song's signature sound.

How to get The Clash's Should I Stay or Should I Go guitar tone?

Use a semi-hollow body guitar like a Gibson ES-335 through an overdriven Fender Twin Reverb amplifier. Push the Twin Reverb's volume to get natural tube overdrive while maintaining clarity and punch.

What amp did The Clash use for Should I Stay or Should I Go?

The Clash used a Fender Twin Reverb amplifier for the guitar sound on 'Should I Stay or Should I Go.' The amp was overdriven to create the raw, slightly fuzzy tone heard on the recording.

Who engineered The Clash Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Bill Price engineered 'Should I Stay or Should I Go' at Wessex Sound Studios in London. Price was known for his work with punk and rock bands and helped capture the song's raw, energetic guitar sound.

What microphone was used to record Should I Stay or Should I Go guitar?

A Neumann U87 condenser microphone was used to record the guitar, placed close to the speaker cabinet. This mic choice helped capture both the raw energy and tonal detail of the overdriven Twin Reverb.

lead guitar from "should i stay or should i go" by the clash

should i stay or should i go

the clash

lead guitar

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Tone Profile

A raw and energetic overdriven guitar sound, with a slightly fuzzy edge. Think classic rock and roll with a punk attitude.

Shop This Rig

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Gibson ES-335(instrument)
Fender Twin Reverb(amp)
Neumann U87(microphone)

The Story

Recorded at Wessex Sound Studios with engineer Bill Price, the lead guitar on 'Should I Stay or Should I Go' features a Gibson ES-335 through an overdriven Fender Twin Reverb amplifier. The signal was captured using a Neumann U87 microphone placed close to the speaker cabinet, creating the song's signature raw, slightly fuzzy punk-rock guitar sound.

Production Credits

Producer: The Clash

Engineer: Bill Price

Recorded at: Wessex Sound Studios, London

Signal Chain

Instrument: Gibson ES-335Shop on Reverb

Amp: Fender Twin ReverbShop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U87Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a Gibson ES-335 and plug into a Fender Twin Reverb amplifier.
Increase the gain on the amp until it starts to overdrive, but not too much to maintain clarity.
Use a Neumann U87 placed close to the speaker to capture the raw and energetic sound.
Adjust the amp's EQ to taste. Try to keep it balanced. Maybe boost mids a bit.

Original Gear

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Substitutions & Recommendations

Epiphone ES-335Shop on Reverb$400-$600

Alternative to: Gibson ES-335

Semi-hollow body construction provides the same warm, slightly compressed tone as the original Gibson at a budget-friendly price

Fender '68 Custom Twin ReverbShop on Reverb$1,200-$1,500

Alternative to: Fender Twin Reverb

Modern reissue of the classic Twin Reverb with the same clean headroom and natural overdrive characteristics when pushed

Boss Blues Driver BD-2Shop on Reverb$50-$70

Alternative to: Fender Twin Reverb

Budget option that adds natural tube-like overdrive to any clean amp, mimicking the Twin Reverb's overdriven sound

Shure SM57Shop on Reverb$100-$120

Alternative to: Neumann U87 mic setup

Industry standard dynamic mic that captures aggressive guitar tones with excellent presence and midrange punch

Universal Audio Fender '65 Twin Reverb PluginPlugin Boutique$150-$200

Alternative to: Fender Twin Reverb amp

Accurate digital emulation of the Twin Reverb's tone and overdrive characteristics for direct recording

Sources

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lead guitar from “should i stay or should i go” by the clash | ToneDB