Song Rig

New Beginning

Matt Schofield · Heads, Tails & Aces · 2014

Tone Overview

What Makes This Sound Unique

Schofield's most lyrical and patient performance — a slow, spacious blues that reflects his continued development toward melodic maturity. The tone is Schofield's most refined: the ES-335 and Divided By 13 combination at its most carefully dialed, with every note possessing maximum warmth and expressiveness.

Signal Chain

1Gibson ES-335 (neck pickup, volume 7)
2Divided By 13 FTR 37
3Xotic BB Preamp

Amp Settings

Gain / Volume5

Bass7

Mid7

Treble6

Reverb4

Lower gain than earlier albums — the 2014 Schofield tone prioritises dynamic response over saturated sustain. The decreased gain makes every note's attack more audible and gives the playing more breathing room.

Technique

How to Play It

Melodic patience — New Beginning shows Schofield applying maximum restraint: longer rests between phrases, slower vibrato, and more deliberate note choices than any previous album. The emotional content is carried by note placement rather than quantity.

Budget Alternative

Achievable With

ES-335 → Divided By 13 or Two-Rock → practice restraint: after each phrase, count to 4 (or more) before playing the next. The space you create is not silence but musical air — it gives the previous phrase room to breathe.

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