Riff Tone
Folsom Prison Blues (Live)
Johnny Cash
Guitarcountry1960s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Esquire
AmpFender Twin Reverb (Blackface, likely 1965-67 model, as used on the 1968 Folsom Prison live recording)
PickupsSingle-coil (bridge position, stock Fender Esquire pickup)
Amp Settings
gain0
bass5
mid5.5
treble7.5
reverb1
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Live performance at Folsom Prison, January 13, 1968. Rhythm guitar by Luther Perkins. Gear confirmed for this era and performance; no evidence of pedals or effects other than amp reverb. Studio vs live: LIVE.
Tone Character(10)
bright and twangyclean and articulatetight and percussivedynamic and responsivedistinct country snapslight spring reverb ambienceclear note separationminimal breakuppercussive attackclassic 'boom-chicka' rhythm
Difficulty
The riff is rhythmically fast and requires tight, consistent palm muting and picking, but uses simple open chords and straightforward technique, making it accessible to most players with basic skills.
Sources
Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear
Create Free AccountGuitarcountry1960s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Esquire
AmpFender Twin Reverb (Blackface, likely 1965-67 model, as used on the 1968 Folsom Prison live recording)
PickupsSingle-coil (bridge position, stock Fender Esquire pickup)
Amp Settings
gain0
bass5
mid5.5
treble7.5
reverb1
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Live performance at Folsom Prison, January 13, 1968. Rhythm guitar by Luther Perkins. Gear confirmed for this era and performance; no evidence of pedals or effects other than amp reverb. Studio vs live: LIVE.
Tone Character(10)
bright and twangyclean and articulatetight and percussivedynamic and responsivedistinct country snapslight spring reverb ambienceclear note separationminimal breakuppercussive attackclassic 'boom-chicka' rhythm
Difficulty
The riff is rhythmically fast and requires tight, consistent palm muting and picking, but uses simple open chords and straightforward technique, making it accessible to most players with basic skills.
More Johnny Cash tones
- (Ghost) Riders In the Sky · riff
- Folsom Prison Blues · riff
- (Ghost) Riders In the Sky · solo
- (Ghost) Riders In the Sky · riff
- (Ghost) Riders In the Sky · solo
- Folsom Prison Blues · riff
- Folsom Prison Blues · clean
- Folsom Prison Blues · solo
- Folsom Prison Blues (Live) · solo
- God's Gonna Cut You Down · riff