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lead guitar from “under cover of darkness” by the strokes | ToneDB

under cover of darkness

the strokes

lead guitar

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Tone Profile

A bright, jangly guitar tone with a slightly overdriven edge, reminiscent of classic garage rock with a modern indie twist. The tone is clear and articulate, cutting through the mix with a defined presence.

Gear

Epiphone Casinoinstrument
ReverbSweetwater
Fender Deluxe Reverbamp
ReverbSweetwater
Shure SM57microphone
ReverbSweetwater
Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808processing
Reverb$120Sweetwater

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The Story

Albert Hammond Jr.'s lead guitar on "Under the Cover of Darkness" was recorded using an Epiphone Casino into a Fender Deluxe Reverb, with an Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808 for additional drive. The track was recorded at Electric Lady Studios in NYC, with the amp likely close-mic'd using a Shure SM57 to capture the bright, jangly character of the Casino combined with the Fender amp's natural breakup.

Production Credits

Producer: Joe Chiccarelli

Engineer: Gus Oberg

Recorded at: Electric Lady Studios, NYC

Signal Chain

Instrument: Epiphone Casino

Amp: Fender Deluxe Reverb

Microphone: Shure SM57

Processing: Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a semi-hollow guitar like an Epiphone Casino for its characteristic tone.
  • Use a Fender Deluxe Reverb or similar amp as a base.
  • Add a Tube Screamer with the drive set low to mid for a subtle overdrive.
  • Experiment with microphone placement to find the sweet spot of the amplifier.

Original Gear

  • Epiphone Casino(guitar)
  • Fender Deluxe Reverb(amp)
  • Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808(pedal)
  • Shure SM57(mic)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Epiphone Casino$500-$650

Alternative to: Epiphone Casino

Still in production and provides the exact semi-hollow jangle and bright attack needed for this tone

ReverbSweetwater
Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue$800-$1000

Alternative to: Fender Deluxe Reverb

Modern reissue of the classic amp that delivers the same bright, articulate clean-to-edge-of-breakup tone

ReverbSweetwater
Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer Reissue$150-$180

Alternative to: Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808

Exact reissue of the original pedal used, providing the characteristic midrange push and light overdrive

ReverbSweetwater
Shure SM57$100-$120

Alternative to: Shure SM57

Industry standard dynamic mic that's still manufactured and captures the direct amp sound perfectly

ReverbSweetwater
Boss Blues Driver BD-2$50-$70

Alternative to: Fender Deluxe Reverb

Budget alternative that can push a clean amp into similar territory when combined with the Casino's natural brightness

ReverbSweetwater
Positive Grid BIAS FX 2$99-$199

Alternative to: Entire signal chain

Includes accurate models of the Fender Deluxe Reverb and Tube Screamer for digital recreation of this exact tone

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

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