Song Rig
Fives
Guthrie Govan · Erotic Cakes · 2006
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
5/4 time groove played with infectious swing — the tone is funky and percussive with clean attack at the front of each note. Guthrie's hybrid picking approach and guitar volume control shape the dynamic range within phrases, making the tone sound alive and reactive.
Signal Chain
- 1Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature (bridge single-coil)
- 2Fender Twin Reverb (very clean)
- 3Mutron III Envelope Filter
- 4Boss DD-3 Delay (dotted eighth, low mix)
Amp Settings
As clean as possible — the Mutron III does all the tonal movement. A bright clean amp like the Twin Reverb lets the envelope filter's vowel-like sweep come through clearly without amp colouration interfering.
Technique
How to Play It
Consistent pick attack to trigger the envelope filter reliably — the Mutron responds to picking dynamics, so controlling pick pressure creates predictable filter sweeps. Staccato articulation between filter pulses.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Stratocaster bridge pickup → EHX Q-Tron envelope filter or Mutron III reissue → any clean Fender-style amp → dotted-eighth delay at low mix.
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
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