Fake Tales of San Francisco

The recording

Recorded at The Chapel Studio in Lincolnshire and 2 Fly Studio in Sheffield under producer Jim Abbiss, the guitars were tracked live with Alex Turner on a 1965 Fender Telecaster and Jamie Cook on a 1975 Gibson SG. Both were run through a Marshall JTM45 head into a 4×12 cabinet, using bridge pickup positions and natural amp overdrive to achieve the song's raw, garage‑rock tone. The parts were double‑tracked and panned left/right, with minimal processing beyond the amp’s breakup.

Reported gear

1965 Fender Telecaster

Guitar

Turner used his 1965 Fender Telecaster on bridge pickup, delivering the bright, cutting rhythm tones that drive the song's verses.

1975 Gibson SG Standard

Guitar

Cook played his 1975 Gibson SG Standard with bridge pickup, producing a thick mid‑range crunch that underpins the song's lead lines.

Marshall JTM45 (1960s reissue)

Amp

Both guitars were routed through a vintage Marshall JTM45 head, cranked for a warm, natural overdrive that defines the track's gritty feel.

Marshall 1960 4x12 Cabinet

Cabinet

The amp was paired with a 4×12 Marshall cabinet loaded with Celestion G12M speakers, giving tight low‑end and articulate mids.

Alternatives

Fender Telecaster Standard

Modern equivalent · for the 1965 Fender Telecaster

$600 to $800

Marshall JTM45 Reissue

Reissue · for the Marshall JTM45 (1960s reissue)

$1,200 to $1,500

Epiphone SG Standard

Budget alternative · for the 1975 Gibson SG Standard

$300 to $500

Marshall 1960 4x12 Cabinet (reissue)

Modern equivalent · for the Marshall 1960 4x12 Cabinet

$500 to $700

Practical playing approach

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

1. 1.Select the bridge pickup on a Telecaster or SG for a bright, aggressive tone.
2. 2.Set the amp gain low and increase the master volume to let the tube overdrive breathe naturally.
3. 3.Apply tight palm‑muting on down‑strokes to tighten the rhythm during verses.
4. 4.Use alternate picking with precise timing to replicate the fast riff.
5. 5.Double‑track the rhythm guitars and pan them left/right for a wider stereo image.