Rio Funk

The recording

Lee Ritenour’s lead line on “Rio Funk” is played cleanly on a humbucker‑equipped solid‑body guitar, with light, precise picking and subtle ghost‑note accents characteristic of 1970s jazz‑funk. Rhythm guitarist Jeff Mironov adds a bright, percussive electric rhythm part that is panned opposite the lead. Ritenour also contributes acoustic strumming recorded with a condenser mic, giving the track an open, warm texture. The electric guitars sit slightly back in the mix, brightened by a subtle studio reverb, and are fed through a clean‑channel tube amp with no overdrive or modulation effects.

Tuning Standard E‑A‑D‑G‑B‑E·Strings 10‑string set (6‑string normal plus higher‑tension top strings) – not documented for this session; standard 6‑string assumed

Reported gear

Gibson ES‑335

Electric guitar

Lee Ritenour routinely used a 1970s Gibson ES‑335 on the Rio sessions; the warm, articulate humbucker tone heard on “Rio Funk” matches the character of that instrument.

Fender Twin Reverb

Amplifier

Effect – None

None

Effect – None

The track’s tone is clean with no distortion, overdrive, chorus, or delay; no pedals were documented for this session.

Alternatives

Epiphone ES‑335

Reissue · for the Gibson ES‑335

$600 to $800

Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb (clean‑channel setting)

Reissue · for the Fender Twin Reverb

$900 to $1,200

Practical playing approach

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

1. 1.Select a clean amp channel and run the volume high for natural tube sparkle.
2. 2.Use the humbucker pickup (neck position for warmth, bridge for clarity) and keep the tone control rolled off about halfway.
3. 3.Play with light, tight alternate picking and add occasional ghost notes for funk articulation.
4. 4.Apply modest compression to even out dynamics while preserving attack.
5. 5.Pan the lead and rhythm guitars opposite each other for a spacious stereo field.