rhythm guitar from “beast of burden” by the rolling stones | ToneDB
beast of burden
the rolling stones
rhythm guitar
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.
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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 TelecasterShop on Reverb
Amp: Music Man HD 130Shop on Reverb
Microphone: Shure SM57Shop on Reverb
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
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Substitutions & Recommendations
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
Alternative to: Music Man HD 130
Clean headroom with natural breakup characteristics similar to the HD 130's warm, slightly driven tone
Alternative to: Music Man HD 130
While not the exact amp, captures the vintage tube warmth and slight compression of 70s-era amplifiers
Alternative to: Shure SM57
The exact same microphone used on the original recording, still the industry standard for guitar amps
Alternative to: Fender Telecaster
Budget option that delivers authentic Telecaster bridge pickup tone and feel for Keith's rhythm style
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