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rhythm guitar from “beast of burden” by the rolling stones | ToneDB

beast of burden

the rolling stones

rhythm guitar

AI generatedv1.0

Tone Profile

A clean, slightly overdriven rhythm guitar tone with a warm, balanced character. The sound is articulate and sits well in the mix, providing a solid foundation for the song.

Gear

Fender Telecasterinstrument
ReverbSweetwater
Music Man HD 130amp
Reverb$617Sweetwater
Shure SM57microphone
ReverbSweetwater

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The Story

Keith Richards recorded the rhythm guitar for "Beast of Burden" using his trusty Fender Telecaster through a Music Man HD 130 amplifier. This was during Richards' well-documented period of using Music Man amps in the late 1970s, with the session taking place at Pathé Marconi Studios in Paris. The tone was captured with a Shure SM57 microphone positioned close to the speaker.

Production Credits

Producer: The Glimmer Twins

Engineer: Andy Johns

Recorded at: Pathé Marconi Studios, Paris

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender Telecaster

Amp: Music Man HD 130

Microphone: Shure SM57

Recreation Tips

  • Use a Fender Telecaster in the bridge pickup position.
  • Set the Music Man amp for a clean tone with a touch of overdrive.
  • Place a Shure SM57 close to the speaker cone, slightly off-axis.
  • Adjust the amp's EQ for a balanced sound, avoiding excessive bass or treble.
  • Slight compression can help the guitar sit better in the mix.

Original Gear

  • Fender Telecaster(guitar)
  • Music Man HD 130(amp)
  • Shure SM57(mic)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Fender Player Telecaster$800-$900

Alternative to: Fender Telecaster

Modern made-in-Mexico Tele with the same bridge pickup bite and clarity that defines Keith's rhythm sound on this track

ReverbSweetwater
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV$600-$700

Alternative to: Music Man HD 130

Clean headroom with natural breakup characteristics similar to the HD 130's warm, slightly driven tone

ReverbSweetwater
Universal Audio Marshall Plexi plugin$150-$200

Alternative to: Music Man HD 130

While not the exact amp, captures the vintage tube warmth and slight compression of 70s-era amplifiers

ReverbSweetwater
Shure SM57$100-$120

Alternative to: Shure SM57

The exact same microphone used on the original recording, still the industry standard for guitar amps

ReverbSweetwater
Squier Classic Vibe 50s Telecaster$300-$400

Alternative to: Fender Telecaster

Budget option that delivers authentic Telecaster bridge pickup tone and feel for Keith's rhythm style

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

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