lead guitar from “zombie” by the cranberries | ToneDB
zombie
the cranberries
lead guitar
AI generatedv1.0
Tone Profile
A crunchy, mid-heavy distorted guitar tone with a touch of chorus and delay, creating a haunting and memorable sound. It's got a raw, slightly unpolished edge that cuts through the mix.
Gear
- Gibson ES-335instrument
- ReverbSweetwater
- Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifieramp
- ReverbSweetwater
- Shure SM57microphone
- ReverbSweetwater
- Boss CE-1processing
- Reverb$747Sweetwater
- Roland Space Echoprocessing
- ReverbSweetwater
ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
The Story
Noel Hogan recorded the lead guitar parts for 'Zombie' using a Gibson ES-335 through a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier amplifier. The signal chain included a Boss CE-1 chorus pedal and a Roland Space Echo for tape delay effects. The track was recorded at Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin with producer Stephen Street and engineer Rob Crane.
Production Credits
Producer: Stephen Street
Engineer: Rob Crane
Recorded at: Windmill Lane Studios, Dublin
Signal Chain
Instrument: Gibson ES-335
Amp: Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
Microphone: Shure SM57
Processing: Boss CE-1, Roland Space Echo
Recreation Tips
- Start with a semi-hollow guitar like a Gibson ES-335 for its characteristic tone.
- Use a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier amp or a similar high-gain amp model to get the core distortion sound.
- Dial in a moderate amount of gain on the amp, aiming for a balance between crunch and clarity.
- Add a chorus effect (such as a Boss CE-1 emulation) to thicken the sound and create a subtle shimmering effect.
- Apply a tape delay (like a Roland Space Echo emulation) with a short delay time and moderate feedback to add depth and ambience.
- Experiment with microphone placement to capture the desired tone; a Shure SM57 is a good starting point.
Original Gear
- Gibson ES-335(guitar)
- Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier(amp)
- Shure SM57(mic)
- Boss CE-1(pedal)
- Roland Space Echo(pedal)
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Gibson ES-335
Provides the semi-hollow body resonance and P-90-style pickup bite of the original at a budget-friendly price point
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
The exact same amp model used on the recording, delivering the signature high-gain Mesa crunch and mid-heavy saturation
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
Brown panel amp model approximates the Mesa's mid-heavy distortion character at a much lower cost
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Boss CE-1 chorus
Recreates the vintage CE-1's warm, subtle chorus modulation that thickens the guitar sound without being overpowering
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Roland Space Echo
Accurately emulates the tape echo saturation and wow/flutter of the original Space Echo units
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Complete signal chain
Includes high-quality Mesa Boogie amp models plus vintage chorus and delay effects in one package
ReverbSweetwaterFrequently Asked Questions
Community Insights
No community insights yet. Be the first to contribute!