GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
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
Notes & Caveats
- No direct studio documentation or official rig rundown for this specific song section; guitar and amp inferred from era, photos, and interviews.
- No numeric amp settings found in sources; settings estimated based on typical Fender Twin Reverb use in classic rock context.
- No evidence of pedals or modulation effects on the riff section; Keith Richards is known for minimal effects in the studio.
- Pickup position inferred from tone and era; some live versions use different guitars/tunings.
- If new evidence emerges of pedal or amp effect use on the studio recording, update accordingly.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Keith Richards' 'Beast of Burden' riff tone is classic late-70s Stones: edge-of-breakup with rich mids, moderate bass, and clear but not harsh treble. Likely a Telecaster into a Fender Twin or similar amp, with subtle reverb and no excessive gain, giving a chimey, touch-sensitive, British-leaning rock sound.