Tone Profile

A raw, biting, and iconic mid-60s fuzz guitar tone, characterized by its aggressive attack and slightly compressed, buzzy sustain, driving the main riff and sharp lead fills.

Signal Chain

Recording Notes

• Recorded March 6-9, 1966, at RCA Studios, Hollywood, CA.
• Engineered by Dave Hassinger and produced by Andrew Loog Oldham.
• Keith Richards played all electric guitar parts, including the main fuzz riff and lead fills. Brian Jones played the sitar.
• The distinctive fuzz sound is attributed to a Maestro FZ-1 Fuzz-Tone pedal, famously used by Keith Richards.
• The song was a groundbreaking use of sitar in Western pop music (played by Brian Jones), but the electric guitar provides the core rock foundation and lead melodies.

Recreation Tips

• Use a Gibson Les Paul or a similar guitar with humbuckers, selecting the bridge pickup for maximum brightness and cut.
• A Maestro FZ-1 Fuzz-Tone (or a faithful clone like the Gibson Maestro Original Fuzz-Tone FZ-M) is crucial for achieving the specific buzzy, slightly gated fuzz characteristic.
• Set a Vox AC30 (or its digital model/emulator) to a clean or slightly gritty tone (edge of breakup) and use the fuzz pedal for the primary distortion and sustain.
• Add a moderate amount of plate or spring reverb for depth and a sense of space, mimicking vintage studio techniques.
• Employ a strong, aggressive pick attack to emulate Keith Richards' distinctive playing style and energy.
• Listen closely to the original recording for nuances in the guitar's attack, sustain, and how it sits in the mix with the sitar.

Recommended Gear

• Gibson Custom Shop 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue(Guitar)
• Vox AC30C2 Custom(Amp)
• Gibson Maestro Original Fuzz-Tone FZ-M(Pedal)
• Neumann U 67 Set(Microphone)
• Universal Audio LA-610 MkII Classic Tube Recording Channel Strip(Preamp)
• Fender Reverb Unit (or clone/plugin)(Pedal)