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Riff Tone

Beast of Burden

The Rolling Stones

Guitarrock1970s

Original Gear

Guitar1975 Fender Telecaster Custom

AmpAmpeg VT-22

PickupsWide Range Humbucker (neck), standard Tele single-coil (bridge)

Amp Settings

gain4

bass6

mid7

treble6.5

reverb3

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

phaserMXR Phaser pedal (model unknown, likely MXR Phase 90)

Notes

Studio recording, 1978. Keith Richards played the main riff on a Telecaster Custom through an Ampeg VT-22. Some sources mention a Maestro Fuzz-Tone was used on the album, but not specifically on this song's riff. Phaser effect is clearly audible and confirmed by multiple sources. Settings estimated based on era, amp, and genre as no direct knob values are available.

Tone Character(10)

warm and slightly grittyclassic Stones crunchmodulated swirl from phaserarticulate and dynamictouch-sensitive responsefull-bodied midrangenot overly compressedclear note separationedge-of-breakup driveorganic amp overdrive

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate skill due to its syncopated rhythm, dynamic muting, and the need to play cleanly with a modulated (phaser) effect. While not technically advanced, the groove and feel are essential for authenticity.

Sources

'Beast of Burden' Phaser | The Gear Page The Rolling Stones – Some Girls - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard That Keith Richards' 'Beast of Burden' sound | The Gear Page I googled .. but still don't understand: what does a compressor do?

This tone has been researched 2 times by the community

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Guitarrock1970s

Original Gear

Guitar1975 Fender Telecaster Custom

AmpAmpeg VT-22

PickupsWide Range Humbucker (neck), standard Tele single-coil (bridge)

Amp Settings

gain4

bass6

mid7

treble6.5

reverb3

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

phaserMXR Phaser pedal (model unknown, likely MXR Phase 90)

Sources

'Beast of Burden' Phaser | The Gear Page The Rolling Stones – Some Girls - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard That Keith Richards' 'Beast of Burden' sound | The Gear Page I googled .. but still don't understand: what does a compressor do?

This tone has been researched 2 times by the community

Notes

Studio recording, 1978. Keith Richards played the main riff on a Telecaster Custom through an Ampeg VT-22. Some sources mention a Maestro Fuzz-Tone was used on the album, but not specifically on this song's riff. Phaser effect is clearly audible and confirmed by multiple sources. Settings estimated based on era, amp, and genre as no direct knob values are available.

Tone Character(10)

warm and slightly grittyclassic Stones crunchmodulated swirl from phaserarticulate and dynamictouch-sensitive responsefull-bodied midrangenot overly compressedclear note separationedge-of-breakup driveorganic amp overdrive

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate skill due to its syncopated rhythm, dynamic muting, and the need to play cleanly with a modulated (phaser) effect. While not technically advanced, the groove and feel are essential for authenticity.

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Beast of Burden by The Rolling Stones — Riff Tone Settings | ToneAdapt