Pick Up the Pieces

The recording

The track’s tight, clean funk groove is driven by two interlocking rhythm guitars. Hamish Stuart and Onnie McIntyre recorded their parts on a 1965 Fender Telecaster and a 1964 Gibson ES‑335 respectively, each run directly into a 1965 Fender Twin Reverb combo amp set for full clean headroom. The guitars were double‑tracked and panned hard left and right, giving the signature percussive, bright tone that sits prominently in the mix without distortion or heavy compression.

Tuning Standard EADGBE

Reported gear

1965 Fender Telecaster

Guitar

Hamish Stuart used a 1965 Fender Telecaster for the main rhythm parts on "Pick Up the Pieces", delivering the bright, percussive clean tone heard throughout the track.

1964 Gibson ES‑335

Guitar

Onnie McIntyre’s lead fills were tracked with a 1964 Gibson ES‑335, providing a warm, slightly rounded tone that cuts through the mix for the occasional solo.

1965 Fender Twin Reverb

Amp

Both guitars were routed through a 1965 Fender Twin Reverb combo amp, set for a full‑clean sound with the volume high, treble up and a modest amount of reverb.

Alternatives

Fender Player Telecaster

Modern equivalent · for the 1965 Fender Telecaster

$400 to $500

Fender '57 Custom Twin Reverb Reissue

Reissue · for the 1965 Fender Twin Reverb

$1,800 to $2,200

Gibson ES‑335 Studio

Modern equivalent · for the 1964 Gibson ES‑335

$2,200 to $2,800

Practical playing approach

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

1. 1.Set the pickup selector to the bridge position for maximum brightness.
2. 2.Strum with a light, percussive attack using the heel of the pick to emphasize the off‑beats.
3. 3.Dial the amp clean with the volume high, treble up, and add a touch of reverb for depth.
4. 4.Double‑track the rhythm guitars and pan one hard left and the other hard right to recreate the stereo spread.