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lead guitar from “my sharona” by the knack | ToneDB

my sharona

the knack

lead guitar

75% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A bright, biting lead guitar tone with a slightly overdriven sound, characterized by clarity and sustain, perfect for catchy riffs and melodic solos. It’s a classic rock sound with a hint of pop sensibility.

The Story

The lead guitar on 'My Sharona' was recorded by The Knack's guitarist Berton Averre using a Fender Stratocaster through a Mesa/Boogie Mark I amplifier. The track was recorded at Sound Castle Studios in Los Angeles, produced by Mike Chapman. The amp was set for a slightly overdriven tone that balanced clarity with sustain, and the sound was captured with a Shure SM57 microphone positioned close to the speaker cabinet.

Production Credits

Producer: Mike Chapman

Engineer: Doug Fieger

Recorded at: Sound Castle Studios, Los Angeles

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender Stratocaster

Amp: Mesa/Boogie Mark I

Microphone: Shure SM57

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a Fender Stratocaster and a Mesa/Boogie Mark I amplifier or a similar high-gain amp.
  • Set the amp to a slightly overdriven tone, adjusting the gain to achieve a balance between clarity and sustain.
  • Use a Shure SM57 microphone close to the speaker to capture the direct sound of the amplifier.
  • Experiment with the guitar's tone and volume knobs to further refine the sound, balancing brightness and warmth.
  • Consider using a touch of compression during mixing to even out the dynamics and enhance sustain.

Substitutions & Recommendations

Squier Classic Vibe '70s Stratocaster$400-$450

Alternative to: Fender Stratocaster

Provides the classic Strat single-coil pickup sound and brightness essential for this tone at a budget-friendly price

Mesa/Boogie Mark Five:35$2,200-$2,500

Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Mark I

Modern evolution of the Mark series that captures the original's clarity and overdriven character with updated features

Neural DSP Soldano SLO-100 Plugin$140-$180

Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Mark I

Offers similar high-gain clarity and sustain characteristics in a digital format for home recording

Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive$50-$70

Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Mark I overdriven tone

Can push a clean amp into similar slightly overdriven territory while maintaining note clarity

Shure SM57$100-$120

Alternative to: Shure SM57

The exact same microphone used on the original recording, still manufactured and widely available

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

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