Song Rig

Elephant Talk

Adrian Belew · Discipline · 1981

Tone Overview

What Makes This Sound Unique

King Crimson's 1981 comeback and one of the most original guitar sounds ever recorded — Belew uses his Stratocaster's tremolo bar and volume knob to create sounds that are neither guitar nor known instrument. The opening 'elephant trumpet' is a Strat whammy bar technique, not a processed effect.

Signal Chain

1Fender Stratocaster (customised, Floyd Rose-style tremolo)
2Roland Guitar Synthesizer GR-300 (for additional textures)
3Eventide H3000 Harmonizer

Amp Settings

Gain / Volume5

Bass6

Mid7

Treble7

The amp setting is secondary to the techniques — Belew's sounds come primarily from mechanical manipulation (whammy bar, volume swells) and effects processing rather than amp drive.

Technique

How to Play It

Whammy bar animal mimicry — Belew presses the tremolo bar to lower pitch, strikes a chord, then releases rapidly, causing the pitch to return quickly — creating the elephant trumpet sound. Combined with specific volume control techniques, this produces startlingly realistic animal vocalisation.

Budget Alternative

Achievable With

Stratocaster with floating bridge (not a hardtail — the floating bridge movement is essential) → practice the elephant technique: press bar to pitch minimum, pick, release rapidly. Experiment with different speeds of release and different string combinations for different 'animals'.

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