Deep Purple
Machine Head · 1972
Amp settings (as recorded)
The recording
The track was recorded in December 1971 at the Pavilion Theatre in Montreux, Switzerland, using the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio. After early sessions were cut short due to noise complaints at the theatre, the band moved to the Grand Hotel to finish the rest of 'Machine Head'. Ritchie Blackmore played his Stratocaster finger-style to articulate the double-stop fourths that define the riff's signature 'growl'.
Tuning
StandardRecording Signal Chain · 4 items
Stratocaster
Fender
Lead
Large-headstock CBS-era maple neck model.
Treble Booster
Hornby-Skewes
Boost/Overdrive
Used to add sustaining bite and natural distortion to the signal path.
Major 200W
Marshall
Amplifier
Modified to run extremely loud and treble-heavy.
4x12 Cabinet
Marshall
Speakers
Loaded with Celestion Greenback speakers.
Tone Characteristics
ToneTwin