Keith Richards — Rig Network

Strung with only 5 strings in open G tuning (GDGBD — low E string removed). Blonde finish, maple neck. Named Micawber after the Dickens character. The primary guitar for all open G Stones material from "Brown Sugar" onwards.

Unique to this artist in the database

Used on early Stones recordings and live performances before the Telecaster became dominant. The semi-hollow body produced a warmer character suited to the blues-influenced early catalogue.

Used on mid-1960s Stones recordings — the LP humbuckers added warmth and sustain to the early British R&B recordings before the Telecaster/open-G period.

The 5E3 Deluxe runs with two 6V6 output tubes producing 12–15 watts — enough volume for studio and smaller venues, but crucially it reaches natural power-amp saturation at manageable levels. Richards's characteristic rhythm tone comes from the 5E3's power-amp compression rather than preamp gain. The single-tone control and simple circuit produce a natural, woody character with complex harmonic content.

Unique to this artist in the database

Used for larger venues and some studio sessions where the Tweed Deluxe's output was insufficient — the Twin provided clean headroom for the rhythm parts.

Used on "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" (1965) — the fuzz line that Richards initially wanted replaced by a horn arrangement. The FZ-1A was a germanium transistor fuzz producing a soft, smooth distortion that defined the era. After the song became a hit, the fuzz became a permanent part of Stones mythology.

Unique to this artist in the database

Used for swells and controlling stage level across different guitars and tunings.

Unique to this artist in the database