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The recording
The guitar tracks for 'Black Betty' were recorded in 1975 by Bill Bartlett's band, Starstruck. The song was later acquired by producers Jerry Kasenetz and Jeffry Katz, who edited the original Starstruck recording and released it under the band name Ram Jam in 1977. Bill Bartlett performed the guitar parts using his highly customized 1954 Gibson Les Paul, known for its distinct construction and voice.
Tuning E Standard
Signal chain
Original gear
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What gear was used for the Black Betty guitar tone?
The available research points to Gibson 1954 Gibson Les Paul (Modified) into Marshall Plexi 100W Head. The full reported signal chain and evidence links are listed on this page.
Are the original Black Betty amp settings documented?
Exact historical knob positions are not reliably documented for most recordings. ToneTwin does not publish generated values as studio fact; it creates playable settings only for the amp and pedals a player selects.
What tuning is Black Betty in?
The current research record lists E Standard. ToneTwin keeps corrections open when reliable accounts disagree.
How do I recreate the Black Betty tone on my own gear?
Use the reported pickup, gain character, effects and signal-chain order as the target, then translate that target to your equipment. The matcher models controls for your selected rig rather than copying undocumented studio numbers.
Researched and reviewed by the ToneTwin Research Team.
