Song Rig
Wild Horses
Keith Richards · Sticky Fingers · 1971
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
Keith Richards in a rare country-influenced ballad mode — an acoustic-driven beautiful fingerpicking part with delicate electric fills. The guitar is restrained and emotionally open, very different from the aggressive riff work. Played in open G with the 5-string "keef tuning" (low E string removed), giving the chords an unusual voicing.
Signal Chain
- 1acoustic guitar (main picking part)
- 2electric guitar (fills, clean)
- 3open G tuning, 5-string (no low E)
Amp Settings
Nearly clean electric for the fills — just enough warmth to sustain the melodic notes. The acoustic part is the primary texture. Open G tuning changes all the chord voicings; standard D and G shapes become different chords.
Technique
How to Play It
Fingerpicked open G acoustic with electric fills — in open G (GDGBD, 5-string), the open chord is a G chord and all barre positions are open voicings. Keith uses simple shapes across the neck, letting the resonance of the open tuning provide the harmonic richness.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Acoustic in open G (DGDGBD or the 5-string version) → electric with clean amp for fills. A capo is optional depending on the key you want to play in.
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
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