Riff Tone

Hard Workin' Man

Brooks & Dunn

Guitarcountry1990s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Telecaster (likely Brent Mason's 1967 Telecaster with Joe Glaser B-bender mod)

AmpFender Twin Reverb (blackface, studio recording)

PickupsFender single-coil (stock Tele bridge pickup, possibly with added mini-humbucker in neck but riff is bridge)

Amp Settings

gain3.5

bass5

mid6

treble7.5

reverb3.5

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

compressionUnknown Compressor pedal (model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, 1992-1993. Brent Mason is widely credited as the session guitarist for Brooks & Dunn's 'Hard Workin' Man'. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars/amps for the riff section. Telecaster bridge pickup is the classic Nashville session sound for this era.

Tone Character(10)

bright and twangytight and percussivearticulate chicken pickin'snappy attackclear note separationslight edge-of-breakupdynamic responseminimal compressionclassic Nashville studio soundclean with a hint of grit

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate to advanced country picking technique, including fast hybrid picking, precise muting, and accurate articulation at tempo.

Sources

hard_workin_man_intro | Country Guitar Chops Hard Workin' Man Tab by Brooks & Dunn | Songsterr Tabs with Rhythm Brent Mason’s Furious Fingerstyle Shred - Premier Guitar

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