Artists / Chuck Berry

Chess Pieces: The Very Best of Chess Records artwork

Johnny B. Goode guitar tone

Chuck Berry · Chess Pieces: The Very Best of Chess Records · 1958 · Rock

Crunch

Main Riff

AmpFender Bassman
GuitarFender Telecaster
PickupBridge single-coil
GAIN5
BASS4
MID5
TREBLE6.5
PRESENCE5.5
REVERB2

SIGNAL CHAIN

  1. Boss SD-1 overdrive
    Drive 3 · Tone 5 · Level 6
    Optional push for the dirtier sections — level does the work.

Big open chords, let them ring — the amp does the work.

Lead

Solo Boost

AmpFender Bassman
GuitarFender Telecaster
PickupBridge single-coil
GAIN6
BASS4
MID5.5
TREBLE6.5
PRESENCE5.5
REVERB2

SIGNAL CHAIN

  1. Boss SD-1 overdrive
    Drive 3 · Tone 5 · Level 6
    Optional push for the dirtier sections — level does the work.
  2. MXR Carbon Copy delay
    Time 3.5 · Repeats 3 · Mix 3
    Kicks in for the solo — repeats tucked under the dry signal.

Lead variant: extra gain and mids to cut through, delay for width. Pick nearer the bridge and let bends sustain.

These are starting points, not gospel. Every amp is a little different, so let your ears do the last 10%.

Open in ToneAmp

Adapt this tone to your own amp and pedals in the app.

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