Song Rig
Howlin' for You
Dan Auerbach · Brothers · 2010
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
Howlin' for You has a slightly more aggressive guitar tone than Tighten Up — the riff uses a harder picking attack and slightly more gain, creating a raunchy, driving rhythm character. The tone sits between clean and fully saturated, capturing the spirit of early Rolling Stones guitar on records like Satisfaction. The guitar note definition is excellent — individual notes of the repeated figure are clear without any compression blurring them.
Signal Chain
- 1Gibson ES-335
- 2Supro 1624T Dual-Tone
- 3National Reso-Phonic (additional texture)
Amp Settings
Marginally more gain than Tighten Up — the riff needs a slightly rougher edge to drive the track. The note definition must remain clear; if notes blur together, reduce gain or play with a firmer pick attack.
Technique
How to Play It
The rhythmic precision of the three-note figure — consistent downstroke with the pick resting against adjacent strings — requires the same kind of economical picking motion found in classic rhythm blues guitar.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Semi-hollow guitar into a small tube amp at high volume with slightly more gain than for Tighten Up. The picking must be firm and deliberate. A slight mid-boost helps cut through.
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
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