Song Rig
When the Rains Come
Sonny Landreth · Down in Louisiana · 2004
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
Atmospheric and soulful — Landreth builds a layered slide guitar texture over a blues groove, with the slide weeping through the melody while chordal fills come from the same guitar simultaneously.
Signal Chain
- 1Fender Stratocaster (modified)
- 2Glass slide
- 3Fender amplifier with spring reverb
- 4MXR Micro Amp (slight boost)
Amp Settings
Slightly more gain than his Cajun-era work — the Down in Louisiana albums push the amp harder for a heavier blues character. The slide alone accounts for most of the tonal character.
Technique
How to Play It
Hammering onto notes with the slide from below the pitch — Landreth attacks slides from beneath the target note for an expressive, vocal-like approach to melody.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Stratocaster → Digitech Whammy or EHX POG2 for harmonics → Blues Junior. The key is the slide fretting technique, not the specific amp.
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
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