Solo Tone

Born With a Broken Heart

Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Guitarblues1990s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (custom painted, 1990s, likely American Standard or Custom Shop)

AmpFender Bassman (vintage reissue, likely 4x10 combo, used in studio and live)

PickupsFender single-coil pickups (stock or vintage-style, exact model not specified)

Amp Settings

gain4.5

bass6.5

mid6.5

treble6.5

reverb3.5

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

wahJim Dunlop Jim Dunlop Cry Baby Wah

overdriveAnalogman Analogman King of Tone

delayJam Pedals Jam Pedals Delay Llama

Notes

Used for both live and studio; confirmed by Kenny Wayne Shepherd for 'Born With a Broken Heart' solo and main parts. Recording year is 1995 (album: Ledbetter Heights). No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the solo section. Pedalboard described in 2023 interview matches era-correct gear.

Tone Character(10)

singing sustainwarm and smoothtouch-sensitiveslightly overdrivenvocal-like phrasingclear note separationmild breakuprich harmonic overtonesdynamic responserounded highs

Difficulty

The solo requires advanced blues phrasing, expressive wah use, and dynamic touch, with fast runs and controlled bends making it challenging for intermediate players.

Sources

Rig tour: Kenny Wayne Shepherd | MusicRadar

This tone has been researched 3 times by the community

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