Elephant

The recording

Elephant was recorded by Kevin Parker in his Perth home studio during the Lonerism sessions and later mixed by Dave Fridmann at Tarbox Road Studios (MusicBrainz). Parker layered the main riff using a vintage Rickenbacker 330, routed through a Dunlop Fuzz Face, an Electro‑Harmonix Electric Mistress flanger and an MXR Carbon Copy analog delay before sending it into a 1960s Fender Twin Reverb. The signal was captured with a close‑mic on the amp and a direct injection, preserving the aggressive fuzz tone while retaining room ambience.

Reported gear

Guitar

1965 Rickenbacker 330

Guitar

Parker used a vintage 1965 Rickenbacker 330, picking at the bridge pickup to drive the fuzzy riff that defines Elephant’s opening; this matches the guitar documented on the Lonerism rig.

Pedal

Dunlop Fuzz Face (circa 1968)

Pedal

The Rickenbacker’s signal was sent through a Dunlop Fuzz Face, giving the thick, buzzing distortion that sits front‑and‑center in the mix; the Fuzz Face is listed among Parker’s effects for Lonerism.

1976 Electro‑Harmonix Electric Mistress

Pedal

A short burst of the Electro‑Harmonix Electric Mistress adds a swirling flanger texture to the lead lines; the pedal appears in documented Lonerism effect lists.

MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay

Pedal

A subtle analog delay thickens the chords with a quarter‑note repeat, preserving the psychedelic vibe; a similar analog delay is noted in Parker’s Lonerism setup.

1960s Fender Twin Reverb

Amp

The fuzzed signal was captured through a 1960s Fender Twin Reverb, whose clean headroom and bright switch highlighted the fuzz’s harmonics; the Twin Reverb is repeatedly mentioned in interviews and rig rundowns for the Lonerism era.

Alternatives

Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster

Modern equivalent · for the 1965 Rickenbacker 330

$350 to $450

TC Electronic Flashback Mini Delay

Modern equivalent · for the MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay

$80 to $120

Behringer SF300 Vintage Fuzz

Budget alternative · for the Dunlop Fuzz Face (circa 1968)

$30 to $45

Fender Hot Rod Twin Reverb Reissue

Reissue · for the 1960s Fender Twin Reverb

$1,500 to $1,800

Electro‑Harmonix Small Stone Phaser

Modern equivalent · for the 1976 Electro‑Harmonix Electric Mistress

$100 to $150

Practical playing approach

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

1. 1.Play the main riff with the bridge pickup on a single‑coil guitar.
2. 2.Set the guitar volume to full to drive the fuzz face into saturation.
3. 3.Dial the Fuzz Face gain high and keep the amp’s bright switch on.
4. 4.Add a subtle quarter‑note delay and a slow‑rate flanger for texture.
5. 5.Mix the amp at a moderate volume to let the fuzz break up naturally.