Human

The recording

Recorded in 2007 at Battle Born Studios in Las Vegas and mixed at Olympic Studios in London, "Human" was produced by The Killers and Stuart Price. Dave Keuning laid down the bright, clean rhythm part using a Fender Telecaster feeding a Fender Hot Rod DeVille combo amp, with an Ibanez AD9 digital delay (and a Boss DD‑3 for extra repeats) to create the spacious, arpeggiated texture. The track was captured in just two hours, with the guitar recorded direct into the amp and mic'd in a single take, giving the song its crisp, open tone.

Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)

Reported gear

Fender Telecaster

Guitar

Dave Keuning’s rhythm tracks on "Human" were recorded with a Fender Telecaster, the guitar most commonly seen in his rig during the Day & Age era, as listed on his Equipboard profile and referenced in the ToneMirror overview.

Ibanez AD9 Digital Delay

Delay

The spacious delay heard on "Human" is credited to an Ibanez AD9 digital delay (with a Boss DD‑3 used as a budget alternative) in the Guitarist‑Kizaihikaku gear guide for Dave Keuning.

Fender Hot Rod DeVille 212 III 60W 2x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp

Amp

Keuning’s clean tone on "Human" was achieved with a Fender Hot Rod DeVille combo amp, as described in the Guitarist‑Kizaihikaku article on his tone and corroborated by his Equipboard rig list.

Alternatives

Squier Telecaster Classic Vibe

Budget alternative · for the Fender Telecaster

$300 to $350

Fender Hot Rod Deluxe

Modern equivalent · for the Fender Hot Rod DeVille 212 III 60W 2x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp

$600 to $800

Boss DD-3 Digital Delay

Budget alternative · for the Ibanez AD9 Digital Delay

$100 to $150

Practical playing approach

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

1. 1.Select the bridge pickup for a bright, cutting tone.
2. 2.Set the amp’s volume high and keep the EQ neutral to let the tube amp breathe.
3. 3.Dial the delay to ~380 ms with 3‑4 repeats and a low mix level for spacious ambience.
4. 4.Play the rhythm chords with a light, articulate attack and let each note ring.
5. 5.Angle the guitar slightly toward the amp speaker to capture natural resonance.