Roadhouse Blues

The recording

Recorded in November 1969 at Elektra Studios in Los Angeles, Robby Krieger tracked the blues‑rock riff on a 1965 Gibson SG using the neck pickup, routed through a Maestro FZ‑1 fuzz and a Magnatone 50‑watt tube combo whose built‑in vibrato adds a subtle warble. The performance was captured with close‑miking on the amp and a room mic for natural ambience, giving the guitar its raw, punchy presence in the mix.

Tuning Standard E (E A D G B E)

Reported gear

1965 Gibson SG

Guitar

Krieger used his 1965 Gibson SG for both the driving rhythm and the searing solo on "Roadhouse Blues", employing the neck pickup for a warm, biting tone.

Maestro FZ-1 Fuzz Pedal

Fuzz

He routed the SG through a Maestro FZ-1 fuzz for the gritty, sustain‑heavy solo that defines the track.

Magnatone 50‑watt Tube Combo Amp

Amp

The guitar signal was amplified by a Magnatone 50‑watt tube combo, whose built‑in vibrato added the subtle warble heard throughout the song.

Alternatives

Epiphone SG Standard

Modern equivalent · for the 1965 Gibson SG

$400 to $500

Supro 50‑watt Tube Combo (reissue)

Modern equivalent · for the Magnatone 50‑watt Tube Combo Amp

$800 to $1,000

Electro‑Harmonix Big Muff Pi

Modern equivalent · for the Maestro FZ-1 Fuzz Pedal

$120 to $150

Practical playing approach

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

1. 1.Play the main riff with a tight, palm‑muted rhythm on the neck pickup.
2. 2.Attack the solo with a slightly overdriven tone and let the fuzz pedal add sustain.
3. 3.Use the amp’s built‑in vibrato sparingly to emphasize the bluesy feel.
4. 4.Bend the strings wide and let each note ring before moving on.