Chelsea Dagger

The recording

‘Chelsea Dagger’ features a bright, overdriven rhythm guitar that sits prominently in the mix, playing tight eighth‑note chords with a bridge pickup. Jon Fratelli double‑tracked his Les Paul parts and panned them left and right, while a Vox AC30 supplied the crunchy tone, captured with a Shure SM57. Produced and mixed by Tony Hoffer, the guitars were recorded at Sunset Sound Studios in Los Angeles (source: Tony Hoffer discography). The track’s energetic feel is reinforced by the guitar’s mid‑range bite and subtle reverb.

Tuning Standard EADGBE

Reported gear

1975 Gibson Les Paul Standard

Guitar

Jon Fratelli recorded the rhythm and lead parts for 'Chelsea Dagger' using his 1975 Gibson Les Paul Standard, delivering a thick, mid‑range heavy tone that drives the song’s hook (documented on Equipboard).

Vox AC30

Amp

The guitar tracks were run through a Vox AC30, mic'd with a Shure SM57, providing the bright, crunchy overdrive heard throughout the song (source: Equipboard profile).

Alternatives

Gibson Les Paul Standard (2023 reissue)

Reissue · for the 1975 Gibson Les Paul Standard

$2,300 to $2,900

Vox AC30 (2020 reissue)

Reissue · for the Vox AC30

$1,000 to $1,400

Practical playing approach

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

1. 1.Strum the main power‑chord riff with a quick, steady down‑stroke on the beat.
2. 2.Select the bridge pickup for maximum bite.
3. 3.Apply light palm‑mute on the verses to tighten the rhythm.
4. 4.Dial the amp’s treble knob higher to emulate the bright AC30 edge.
5. 5.Double‑track the rhythm guitars and pan them opposite to create a full stereo spread.