GuitarDistortedRiff
Beast of Burden Riff Guitar Tone Settings — The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones · 1970s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender Telecaster Custom (Keith Richards, likely 1975 black maple-neck model)
Pickups
Neck: Wide Range Humbucker, Bridge: Single-coil Telecaster
Amp
Fender Twin Reverb (Silverface, late 1970s studio version)
Pickup Position
Neck pickup (Wide Range Humbucker) or middle position (neck + bridge); likely neck for main riff
Studio recording, 1978 (Some Girls album). Gear inferred from era, photos, and interviews; no direct studio documentation found for this specific track. No evidence of pedals used on the riff section, consistent with Keith Richards' minimal effects approach in this era.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain3.5
Reverb3
Treble6.5
Presence5.5
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Tone Character
- clean but slightly gritty
- articulate and percussive
- chimey top end
- warm midrange
- open and airy
- dynamic and touch-sensitive
- tight, focused lows
- minimal compression
- classic Fender sparkle
- no audible pedal coloration