Song Rig
Paint It Black
Keith Richards · Aftermath · 1966
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
Unusually dark and exotic for the Stones of 1966 — the guitar uses an E minor tonality with Brian Jones' sitar providing the Indian flavor. Keith's guitar on the studio version is actually playing the rhythm figure while the sitar carries the melody. In live versions, the guitar takes the sitar riff. The tone is a garage-rock edge of breakup, driven by the dark modal character.
Signal Chain
- 1Fender Telecaster (Keith's primary era guitar)
- 2Vox AC30 or small Fender amp (1966 era)
- 3no capo, E minor tonality
Amp Settings
Slightly overdriven Vox or Fender — 1966 Stones tone is rawer and less produced than the 70s era. The minor tonality gives the overdriven chord a darker, more urgent quality. The garage-rock edge-of-breakup tone suits the song's tension.
Technique
How to Play It
Driving downstroke rhythm in E minor — the guitar propels the dark modal groove. On the guitar version of the sitar melody (used live), the descending E Phrygian line (E-D-C-B) is picked rapidly on the upper strings. The unusual minor Phrygian tonality is the defining harmonic feature.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Any guitar in standard tuning → Vox AC30 or Fender amp at edge of breakup. In E minor, the descending melody line is on the B and e strings.
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
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