Holiday in Cambodia

The recording

Recorded at San Francisco’s Hyde Street Studios in 1980, East Bay Ray tracked his rhythm parts live with the band, capturing a crisp, punchy tone that drives the song’s aggressive momentum. The take was captured in a single pass, with the guitar sitting prominently in the mix and a subtle slap‑back echo adding depth.

Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)

Reported gear

Coral Telecaster (1970s Japanese copy)

Guitar

East Bay Ray recorded the rhythm parts on a low‑cost Coral Telecaster, a Japanese copy he chose over his usual Strats or Telecasters for the 1980 sessions.

Maestro Echoplex (tape echo, 1970s)

Delay

A Maestro tape echo (Echoplex) sat on the table during tracking, providing the slap‑back repeat heard throughout the track.

Fender Bassman 100W (c. 1965)

Amp

The guitar was captured through a vintage Fender Bassman 100‑watt tube amp, which is generally attributed to the Holiday in Cambodia recording based on statements from East Bay Ray and contemporaneous interviews.

Alternatives

Squier Telecaster Classic Vibe

Modern equivalent · for the Coral Telecaster (1970s Japanese copy)

$400 to $500

Fender Blues Junior

Modern equivalent · for the Fender Bassman 100W (c. 1965)

$600 to $700

Boss DD-3 Digital Delay

Modern equivalent · for the Maestro Echoplex (tape echo, 1970s)

$120 to $150

Practical playing approach

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

1. 1.Select the bridge pickup for maximum bite.
2. 2.Set a short delay time on the echo to emulate the classic slap‑back.
3. 3.Keep the amp’s gain low and let the tube break up only on the low notes.
4. 4.Use tight, palm‑muted downstrokes for the chugging rhythm.
5. 5.Let notes ring briefly and mute with the fretting hand for a clean, staccato punk feel.