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Tuned to the exact gear you own
The recording
The track features Shepherd playing a bridge‑picked Strat equipped with GraphTech Ghost saddles, delivering a bright, articulate attack that slices through the mix. His aggressive picking drives a high‑gain Dumble Steel String Singer amp, giving the rhythm parts a thick, mids‑forward overdrive. For the soaring solo he engages a vintage Octavia‑style octave/fuzz unit, creating the song’s signature screaming character.
Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)·Strings Ernie Ball .010-.046
Signal chain
Reported gear
Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Signature Strat with GraphTech Ghost pickup system
Guitar
Shepherd used his signature Strat equipped with GraphTech Ghost saddles to capture the tight, articulate tone heard on "Blue on Black".
Tycobrahe Octavia
Octavia
A vintage Tycobrahe Octavia octave‑fuzz unit was used for the soaring solo in "Blue on Black", as reported by a contemporary forum post.
Dumble Steel String Singer
Amp
Shepherd's studio tone on "Blue on Black" was captured through a Dumble Steel String Singer, a high‑gain, all‑tube amp that adds the song's thick, singing sustain.
Alternatives
Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster
Modern equivalent · for the Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Signature Strat with GraphTech Ghost pickup system
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe
Modern equivalent · for the Dumble Steel String Singer
Fulltone Octafuzz
Modern equivalent · for the Tycobrahe Octavia
Practical playing approach
Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.
- 1.Select the bridge pickup on the Strat for maximum bite.
- 2.Push the guitar volume near full to drive the amp into natural overdrive.
- 3.Engage an Octavia‑style octave/fuzz for soaring solo notes, using moderate sustain.
- 4.Attack the strings with a firm pick and add subtle vibrato to enhance sustain.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What gear was used for the Blue on Black guitar tone?
The available research points to Fender Kenny Wayne Shepherd Signature Strat with GraphTech Ghost pickup system into Dumble Steel String Singer. The full reported signal chain and evidence links are listed on this page.
Are the original Blue on Black 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 Blue on Black in?
The current research record lists Standard (E A D G B E). ToneTwin keeps corrections open when reliable accounts disagree.
How do I recreate the Blue on Black 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.
