lead guitar from “hunted down” by soundgarden | ToneDB
hunted down
soundgarden
lead guitar
AI generatedv1.0
Tone Profile
A raw, aggressive, and slightly chaotic guitar tone, characterized by its fuzz-driven distortion and biting high-end. It's the sound of early grunge – unpolished and visceral.
Gear
- Fender Stratocasterinstrument
- ReverbSweetwater
- Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+amp
- ReverbSweetwater
- Shure SM57microphone
- ReverbSweetwater
- Pro Co RATprocessing
- ReverbSweetwater
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The Story
The lead guitar on "Hunted Down" was recorded with a Fender Stratocaster through a Pro Co RAT distortion pedal into a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ amp, with the signal captured using a Shure SM57 microphone. The track was recorded at Reciprocal Recording in Seattle with Jack Endino producing and engineering, which was typical for many early grunge recordings. The setup delivered the raw, aggressive fuzz-driven distortion that became a hallmark of Soundgarden's early sound.
Production Credits
Producer: Jack Endino
Engineer: Jack Endino
Recorded at: Reciprocal Recording (Seattle, WA)
Signal Chain
Instrument: Fender Stratocaster
Amp: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+
Microphone: Shure SM57
Processing: Pro Co RAT
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Stratocaster-style guitar for that single-coil bite.
- Use a Pro Co RAT to achieve the core distortion sound.
- Dial in a Mesa/Boogie amp for a bright but tight sound to avoid muddiness.
- A dynamic mic like an SM57 close to the cabinet will capture the direct, aggressive tone.
- Experiment with amp and RAT settings to find the sweet spot between fuzz and definition.
Original Gear
- Fender Stratocaster(guitar)
- Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+(amp)
- Pro Co RAT(pedal)
- Shure SM57(mic)
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Pro Co RAT
The current production RAT 2 delivers the same aggressive distortion character as vintage RATs, providing that essential fuzz-driven bite
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+
The Mark VII includes the IIC+ mode that recreates the tight, bright character of the original Mark IIC+ used on this recording
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Pro Co RAT
Offers multiple RAT variations in one pedal, including vintage modes that can nail the early grunge RAT sound
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+
Includes accurate Mesa/Boogie Mark series modeling that can capture the tight, aggressive character needed for this tone
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Fender Stratocaster
Provides authentic single-coil Stratocaster bite and clarity at a budget-friendly price point
ReverbSweetwaterFrequently Asked Questions
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