lead guitar from “runnin' down a dream” by tom petty | ToneDB
runnin' down a dream
tom petty
lead guitar
Tone Profile
A driving, slightly overdriven tone with a bright, clear attack and a touch of compression, perfect for rhythm and lead playing. It's got a raw, energetic sound with a touch of twang.
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The Story
The lead guitar on 'Runnin' Down a Dream' was recorded at MCH Studios with Jeff Lynne producing and Bill Bottrell engineering. The tone was achieved using a Fender Stratocaster played through a Vox AC30 amplifier, recorded with a Neumann U67 microphone. A Urei 1176 compressor was used during mixing to even out dynamics and add sustain to the slightly overdriven sound.
Production Credits
Producer: Jeff Lynne
Engineer: Bill Bottrell
Recorded at: MCH Studios
Signal Chain
Instrument: Fender StratocasterShop on Reverb
Microphone: Neumann U67Shop on Reverb
Processing: Urei 1176Shop on Reverb
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Fender Stratocaster style guitar into a Vox AC30 amplifier or similar British-voiced amplifier.
- Use moderate gain on the amp to achieve a slightly overdriven sound. Adjust the EQ to emphasize the high-mid frequencies for clarity and bite.
- Add a compressor, like a Urei 1176, to even out the dynamics and increase sustain. Experiment with different compression settings to find the sweet spot.
- Consider using a combination of close and room microphones when recording to capture a balanced sound.
Original Gear
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- Fender StratocasterShop on Reverb(guitar)
- Vox AC30Shop on Reverb(amp)
- Neumann U67Shop on Reverb(mic)
- Urei 1176Shop on Reverb(compressor)
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Fender Stratocaster
Provides the classic Stratocaster single-coil pickup sound with bright attack and twang essential for this tone at a budget-friendly price point
Alternative to: Vox AC30
Current production AC30 delivers the same British EL84 tube breakup and chiming clean tones that define this track's slightly overdriven character
Alternative to: Vox AC30
Lower wattage version with the same AC30 circuitry and EL84 tubes, perfect for achieving that overdriven tone at more manageable volumes
Alternative to: Urei 1176 Compressor
Authentic digital recreation of the original 1176 used on the recording, providing the same fast attack compression that adds sustain and punch to the guitar
Alternative to: Urei 1176 Compressor
Hardware recreation of the 1176 circuit that captures the aggressive compression and sonic coloration of the original unit used on this track
Alternative to: Neumann U67
Tube condenser microphone that recreates the U67's warm, smooth character perfect for capturing the AC30's full frequency response
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