Are You Gonna Be My Girl

The recording

The song was recorded at Sunset Sound Studios in Los Angeles with producer Dave Sardy. The bright opening riff was played on a 1965 Fender Telecaster using the bridge pickup and run through a vintage Vox AC30 combo, giving a chime‑y, mid‑range‑rich tone. A subtle overdrive from a Boss DS‑1 was placed in front of the amp to push it into a smooth breakup while retaining clarity. Layered rhythm parts were double‑tracked on a 1974 Gibson Les Paul Standard, adding a warm, full‑bodied foundation beneath the Telecaster lead. The guitars were mic'd with a Shure SM57 directly on the speaker, capturing the raw rock‑n‑roll feel.

Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)

Reported gear

1965 Fender Telecaster

Guitar

Cam (or Nic) Cester used a vintage 1965 Fender Telecaster with the bridge pickup to cut the bright opening riff, delivering a crisp, twangy attack.

1974 Gibson Les Paul Standard

Guitar

Cam Muncey recorded the layered rhythm parts on a 1974 Gibson Les Paul Standard, giving a warm, full‑bodied foundation under the Telecaster lead.

Boss DS-1 Distortion

Distortion Pedal

Vox AC30 (British 30W combo)

Amp

Recorded through a vintage Vox AC30 at Sunset Sound Studios, the amp’s chimey mid‑range and natural breakup shape the song’s iconic bright rock tone.

Alternatives

Fender Player Telecaster

Modern equivalent · for the 1965 Fender Telecaster

$650 to $800

Boss DS-1 Distortion

Still made · for the Boss DS-1 Distortion

$30 to $50

Gibson Les Paul Studio

Modern equivalent · for the 1974 Gibson Les Paul Standard

$1,800 to $2,200

Vox AC30 Reissue (2022)

Reissue · for the Vox AC30 (British 30W combo)

$900 to $1,200

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1. 1.Play the opening riff with tight alternate picking, palm‑muting the low E on each downbeat.
2. 2.Select the bridge pickup on the Telecaster and set the tone knob to full for maximum brightness.
3. 3.Add a light overdrive (e.g., a DS‑1 set low) to push the Vox AC30 into a smooth breakup.
4. 4.Double‑track the rhythm part on a Les Paul and pan it slightly off‑centre for added thickness.