Here Comes Your Man

The recording

Recorded between October 31 and November 23, 1988 at Downtown Recorders in Boston and mixed at Carriage House Studios in Stamford, the track features Joey Santiago's guitar captured with close‑miking. Using a Gibson Les Paul Standard (bridge pickup) into a Fulltone OCD overdrive pedal, the signal was sent to a Marshall JCM800 50‑watt head (boost channel) and a classic Marshall 4×12 cabinet. The resulting tone sits forward in the mix with a bright, mid‑forward character, a hint of spring reverb and just enough breakup to give the verses a subtle crunch while retaining clarity for the melodic lead lines.

Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)

Reported gear

Gibson Les Paul Standard

Guitar

Joey Santiago used his Gibson Les Paul Standard, employing the bridge humbucker to cut through the mix and provide the warm, slightly overdriven tone heard on 'Here Comes Your Man'.

Fulltone OCD Overdrive Pedal

Overdrive

A modest overdrive that adds a tight, mid‑range crunch, the Fulltone OCD was placed after the guitar to shape the subtle grit heard on the verses and choruses.

Marshall JCM800 50-watt Head

Amp

The British‑voiced Marshall JCM800 50‑watt head, driven into its boost channel, provides the punchy mids and slight breakup that give the track its distinctive edge.

Marshall 4x12 Cabinet

Cabinet

The signal was routed into a classic Marshall 4×12 speaker cabinet, delivering the full‑bodied tone and pronounced mids heard throughout the mix.

Alternatives

Epiphone Les Paul Standard

Budget alternative · for the Gibson Les Paul Standard

$700 to $850

Marshall DSL40C

Modern equivalent · for the Marshall JCM800 50-watt Head

$1,000 to $1,200

Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9

Modern equivalent · for the Fulltone OCD Overdrive Pedal

$150 to $170

Marshall 1960 4x12 Cabinet (reissue)

Reissue · for the Marshall 4x12 Cabinet

$900 to $1,100

Practical playing approach

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

1. 1.Select the bridge humbucker and pick close to the bridge for a bright, articulate attack.
2. 2.Set the guitar volume to full and the tone knob around 7 to let the OCD pedal’s grit shine through.
3. 3.Use light palm‑muting on the verses to tighten the rhythm while allowing notes to ring out in the chorus.
4. 4.Bend the lead notes smoothly and let the natural sustain of the Les Paul ring.