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lead guitar from “honky tonk women” by the rolling stones | ToneDB

honky tonk women

the rolling stones

lead guitar

88% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A bright, punchy, and biting tone with a distinctive "honky" midrange, achieved with an open-G tuned Les Paul Custom plugged into a cranked Fender Twin Reverb.

Signal Chain

Instrument: 1950s Gibson Les Paul Custom (e.g., '57 "Black Beauty" with three PAF humbuckers, likely bridge pickup or a combination)

Amp: Fender Twin Reverb (cranked/dimed for natural overdrive)

Microphone: Shure SM57 or Neumann U67 (close-miked)

Processing: Light Studio Plate Reverb

Other: Open G tuning (GDGbd, low E string removed). Guitar played with a firm pick attack, likely near the bridge.

Recording Notes

  • Recorded in 1969, likely at Olympic Sound Studios in London.
  • The iconic opening cowbell precedes Keith Richards' distinctive guitar riff.
  • Keith Richards' guitar part is the primary focus, characterized by its Open G tuning and slightly overdriven, articulate sound.
  • The guitar tone cuts through the mix with significant presence and attack, but isn't heavily saturated.
  • Mick Taylor also contributed lead guitar overdubs to the track, but the signature riff sound is Keith's.

Recreation Tips

  • Tune your guitar to Open G: G-D-G-B-D (low to high), with the low E string either removed or tuned down and muted.
  • Use a Gibson Les Paul Custom or a similar humbucker-equipped guitar. Select the bridge pickup or experiment with bridge/middle combinations if available.
  • Plug into a Fender Twin Reverb (or a similar high-headroom tube amp) and turn the volume up until it starts to break up naturally. This is key to achieving the dynamic, gritty clean tone.
  • Use a firm pick attack and try playing closer to the bridge to enhance brightness and bite.
  • Add a touch of plate reverb or a high-quality room reverb plugin.
  • Avoid excessive gain pedals; the core tone comes from the guitar and the cranked amplifier.

Sources