Get this tone on your rig
Tuned to the exact gear you own
The recording
Buddy Guy delivers a searing lead on 'Five Long Years' using his Gibson ES-345 with the neck pickup. He cranks the volume on a Fender Super Reverb to push the tubes into natural overdrive, while keeping the tone controls modest to retain a warm mid‑range. The amp's spring reverb adds depth, and his thumb‑pick attack emphasizes the aggressive blues phrasing.
Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)
Signal chain
Reported gear
1968 Gibson ES-345
Guitar
Buddy Guy used a Gibson ES-345 as his primary studio guitar in the early 1970s, providing a warm, articulate tone for the blues‑driven lead on 'Five Long Years'.
1965 Fender Super Reverb
Amp
The track was recorded through a Fender Super Reverb, with the volume cranked to push the tubes into natural overdrive while keeping tone controls modest, adding a smooth mid‑range and spring‑reverb ambience.
Alternatives
Gibson ES-345 Standard
Modern equivalent · for the 1968 Gibson ES-345
Fender ’57 Custom Super Reverb Reissue
Modern equivalent · for the 1965 Fender Super Reverb
Practical playing approach
Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.
- 1.Pick the strings near the bridge with your thumb for a biting attack.
- 2.Crank the amp volume to push the tubes into natural overdrive.
- 3.Use the neck pickup and roll back the tone knob for a warmer sound.
- 4.Add subtle string bends and vibrato on sustained notes to emulate Buddy’s vocal phrasing.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What gear was used for the Five Long Years guitar tone?
The available research points to 1968 Gibson ES-345 into 1965 Fender Super Reverb. The full reported signal chain and evidence links are listed on this page.
Are the original Five Long Years 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 Five Long Years 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 Five Long Years 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.
