Riff Tone

Honky Tonk Women

The Rolling Stones

Guitarrock1960s

Original Gear

Guitar1950s Fender Telecaster (likely 'Micawber', 5-string, open G tuning, low E removed)

AmpAmpeg VT-22 (studio recording, as per period-correct sources and Equipboard)

PickupsGibson PAF humbucker (neck), Fender lap steel pickup (bridge)

Amp Settings

gain3.5

bass4.5

mid6.5

treble6.5

reverb2

presence5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1969. Keith Richards played the main riff on a 1950s Fender Telecaster ('Micawber') in open G tuning with the low E string removed. Ampeg VT-22 amp used in studio. No evidence of pedals or additional effects in the riff section. Pickup selection likely neck (PAF humbucker) for the signature tone.

Tone Character(10)

bright and percussiveedge-of-breakup crunchclear, punchy rhythmcountry-tinged attackopen and airyminimal sustainslightly grittyarticulate single notesdynamic response to pickingclassic Stones 'cut through the mix' sound

Difficulty

The riff is iconic but relies on open G tuning and a percussive, syncopated rhythm that requires good muting and timing. Not technically difficult, but stylistically demanding for authentic feel.

Sources

Rolling Stones guitar lesson: every guitarists' style analyzed | Guitar World Keith Richards’ Micawber: Inside the Rolling Stones Guitar Legend’s Five-String Telecaster | Equipboard Mick Taylor | Equipboard

This tone has been researched 2 times by the community

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