Gimme Shelter

The recording

Richards recorded the opening riff in one take at Olympic Studios with his Maton EG240 Supreme set to the bridge pickup and tuned to Open‑E (E‑B‑E‑G♯‑B‑E). The Selmer Zodiac Twin 50’s tube‑driven tremolo was set to a very high depth and a rate synced to the song’s ~119 BPM tempo, giving the rhythm part its characteristic throbbing pulse while staying clean enough to let the open‑E chords ring.

Tuning Open E (E‑B‑E‑G♯‑B‑E)

Reported gear

Maton EG240 Supreme (c. 1970)

Guitar

Keith Richards used a Maton EG240 Supreme, a rare Australian solid‑body, for the iconic opening riff; the instrument's bridge pickup was set to the bridge position and the guitar was tuned to Open E (E‑B‑E‑G♯‑B‑E) for the track.

Selmer Zodiac Twin 50 (c. 1969)

Amp

The rhythm track was run through a Selmer Zodiac Twin 50 combo, whose built‑in tremolo was cranked to a deep, throbbing pulse that drives the song’s nervous energy.

Alternatives

Maton MB44

Modern equivalent · for the Maton EG240 Supreme (c. 1970)

$500 to $800

Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue

Modern equivalent · for the Selmer Zodiac Twin 50 (c. 1969)

$1,500 to $2,800

Practical playing approach

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

1. 1.Tune the guitar to Open E (E‑B‑E‑G♯‑B‑E) before you play.
2. 2.Select the bridge pickup and use a heavy‑pick attack to push the amp into slight breakup.
3. 3.Keep the amp’s tremolo depth turned up high and rate synced to the song’s tempo.
4. 4.Use a medium‑heavy pick and accent down‑strokes for a tight rhythm feel.
5. 5.Stay mostly clean; avoid heavy overdrive to preserve the chime of the open‑E chords.