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Matt Schofield · Back Home · 2004

Tone Overview

What Makes This Sound Unique

Schofield's debut album opener — a driving blues-rock track that established his credentials in the UK blues scene. The tone is slightly rawer than the refined Anything But Time approach, with the ES-335 pushed harder into the amp for a more aggressive response.

Signal Chain

1Gibson ES-335 (bridge pickup for harder sections)
2Fender Vibroverb or Divided By 13 (earlier amp, louder)

Amp Settings

Gain / Volume7

Bass7

Mid7

Treble7

Presence6

More gain and volume than the 2007 recordings — Back Home has the energy of a debut album, with Schofield playing harder and louder than his more controlled later recordings. Raw confidence rather than refined expression.

Technique

How to Play It

Driving blues shuffle rhythm combined with lead fills — Back Home's rhythm sections show Schofield's comping skills: tight, shuffling chord stabs that propel the groove forward while his right hand naturally transitions to lead single notes within the same bar.

Budget Alternative

Achievable With

ES-335 → Fender amp at high volume (for natural breakup) → practice the blues shuffle rhythm while inserting single-note fills between chord stabs: the transition between chord and single-note playing should be seamless.

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