That Lady, Pts. 1 & 2 Guitar Tone Settings — The Isley Brothers
The Isley Brothers · 1970s · funk rock
studio
Tone Reconstruction
A sustained lead reconstruction of That Lady. Later devices sometimes associated with Ernie Isley are not automatically evidence for this recording; exact effect models and universal knob values remain provisional.
Suggested practice setup. These choices help recreate the part; documented recording details and their limits are explained in the story sources.
Amp Settings
Suggested starting points on a 0–10 scale, not documented studio knob positions. Match to your gear for controls specific to your setup.
Effects Chain
Try sustaining fuzz with slow phasing; set movement gently enough that held pitches remain stable.
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Tone Character
- Singing fuzz sustain
- Slow phase movement
- Rounded lead voice
Playing Technique
Practical suggestions for this solo reconstruction; difficulty reflects the exercise, not an official transcription.
- Let a held note develop · difficulty 3/5Begin the note clearly, then add vibrato gradually so the long lead phrase changes character as it sustains.
- Keep bends aligned with the melody · difficulty 4/5Check the target pitch before adding the full fuzz sound; distortion can make an inaccurate bend seem larger but not better.
- Leave space for the groove · difficulty 3/5End each long gesture before the next answer rather than filling every bar with uninterrupted lead.
- Balance sustain and background noise · difficulty 3/5Mute unused strings before increasing gain, allowing intentional notes to last without a cloud of incidental ringing.
Sources
Tone Story / Why This Tone Works
- Guitar as a second singerThat Lady gives Ernie Isley’s electric lead an expansive role within the Isley Brothers’ funk-soul setting.
- Isley’s sustained voiceThe source discusses a melodic guitar sound that can hold attention across long phrases rather than relying only on a short riff.
- Fuzz with a pitch centerAim for a rounded, sustaining envelope while retaining enough definition to hear the melody and its bends.
- Movement over a steady grooveThe lead becomes expressive when it floats across the backing without losing its phrase endpoints.
Story sources
- Ernie Isley’s guitar tone on The Isley Brothers’ That Lady: secrets behind the sound | Guitar WorldSong-specific Ernie Isley discussion; later effect availability is not evidence of use on the original recording.