lead guitar from “waterloo sunset” by the kinks | ToneDB
waterloo sunset
the kinks
lead guitar
Tone Profile
The lead guitar tone is warm, slightly overdriven, with a pronounced midrange that helps it cut through the mix. It has a slightly compressed and sustained quality, contributing to its lyrical and melodic nature.
Shop This Rig
ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
The Story
The lead guitar tone on "Waterloo Sunset" was recorded by The Kinks at Pye Studios in London with producer Shel Talmy and engineer Alan MacKenzie. The basic setup used a Fender Telecaster into a Vox AC30 amplifier, recorded with a Neumann U67 microphone. The Kinks were experimenting with recording techniques during this period, and it's been documented that they sometimes used a single microphone approach to capture a very cohesive sound across instruments.
Production Credits
Producer: Shel Talmy
Engineer: Alan MacKenzie
Recorded at: Pye Studios (London)
Signal Chain
Instrument: Fender TelecasterShop on Reverb
Microphone: Neumann U67Shop on Reverb
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Fender Telecaster into a Vox AC30 amplifier.
- Use a light overdrive pedal or the amp's natural overdrive to get a slightly crunchy tone.
- Experiment with microphone placement to find a sweet spot that captures the amp's warmth and character.
- Consider using a compressor to even out the dynamics and add sustain.
- If going for the "one mic" approach, experiment with the microphone's position to capture both the guitar amp and the overall room sound.
Original Gear
ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Fender Telecaster
Delivers the same bright, cutting tone with strong midrange that defines the Telecaster sound heard on this track
Alternative to: Vox AC30
Current production AC30 that maintains the chiming top end and natural tube compression of the original 1960s model
Alternative to: Vox AC30
Lower wattage Vox with similar EL84 tube character and earlier breakup for home recording at manageable volumes
Alternative to: Neumann U67 microphone setup
Includes accurate Vox AC30 and Telecaster modeling for achieving this vintage British recorded guitar sound
Alternative to: Natural tube compression
1176-style compression that adds the sustain and evenness heard in the original recording
Frequently Asked Questions
Community Insights
No community insights yet. Be the first to contribute!