Come Out and Play

The recording

The main riff and verses were performed on a Gibson SG with the bridge pickup, using a tight palm‑muted attack. The part was recorded through a single Marshall JCM800 head into a 4×12 cabinet, with a modest amount of studio reverb to give it space. The band shared this amp and cabinet for all guitar tracks on Smash, giving the song its characteristic raw, mid‑range‑forward tone.

Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)

Reported gear

1965 Gibson SG Standard

Guitar

Dexter Holland used a 1965 Gibson SG Standard during the Smash sessions, playing the main riff on 'Come Out and Play' as noted in a 2023 gear interview.

Marshall JCM800 100W

Amp

The band recorded 'Come Out and Play' using a single Marshall JCM800 100‑watt head, the sole amp they could afford for the Smash sessions, delivering the tight overdrive heard on the track.

Marshall 1960B 4×12 Cabinet

Cabinet

The JCM800 was paired with a Marshall 1960B 4‑x‑12 cabinet, the only cabinet used on the album, providing the punchy mids and crisp highs on 'Come Out and Play'.

Alternatives

Epiphone SG Standard

Modern equivalent · for the 1965 Gibson SG Standard

$800 to $1,200

Marshall 1960A 4×12 Cabinet

Modern equivalent · for the Marshall 1960B 4×12 Cabinet

$800 to $1,100

Marshall DSL100

Modern equivalent · for the Marshall JCM800 100W

$1,100 to $1,300

Practical playing approach

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

1. 1.Select the bridge pickup for maximum bite on the riff.
2. 2.Palm‑mute the low strings during the verses to tighten the rhythm.
3. 3.Apply light overdrive and keep the gain low to preserve the song’s chuggy mids.
4. 4.Add a short plate reverb to emulate the studio ambience.
5. 5.Use a slight vibrato on the descending notes to capture the Middle‑Eastern feel.