Roxanne

The recording

Andy Summers recorded his Telecaster Custom through a front‑of‑amp chain of MXR Dyna Comp compressor, Electro‑Harmonix Electric Mistress flanger, and MXR M118 analog delay before a Marshall JMP 100W Super Lead head into a 4‑x‑12 cabinet. The amp was close‑miked with a Shure SM57, resulting in a tight, clean tone with the delay providing the only ambient space on the track.

Tuning Standard E tuning

Reported gear

1963 Fender Telecaster Custom

Guitar

Summers used his heavily modified 1963 Telecaster Custom, fitted with an overwound bridge single‑coil and a neck humbucker, delivering bright bite and warm neck tone on "Roxanne".

MXR Dyna Comp

Compressor

A gentle compression from the MXR Dyna Comp tames the Telecaster’s dynamic peaks, keeping the clean chords evenly sustained.

Electro‑Harmonix Electric Mistress

Flanger

The Electric Mistress adds a subtle, swirling modulation to the lead lines, creating the signature percussive shimmer heard on the track.

MXR Analog Delay M118

Delay

A short analog delay (≈300 ms) adds a thin echo that gives the guitar a sense of space without washing out the Telecaster’s articulation.

Marshall JMP 100W Super Lead

Amp

Summers cranked a Marshall JMP 100W Super Lead head, dialed clean with minimal gain, to drive the Telecaster’s bite while retaining headroom.

Marshall 4x12 Cabinet

Cabinet

A classic 4×12 Marshall cabinet captured the full low‑end and chime of the amp, mic‑d with a Shure SM57 for a tight, focused sound.

Alternatives

Fender American Professional II Telecaster

Modern equivalent · for the 1963 Fender Telecaster Custom

$1,200 to $1,500

MXR M117 Reissue Analog Delay

Reissue · for the MXR Analog Delay M118

$120 to $160

MXR Dyna Comp

Still made · for the MXR Dyna Comp

$80 to $120

Marshall JMP Super Lead (reissue)

Reissue · for the Marshall JMP 100W Super Lead

$2,500 to $3,200

Electro‑Harmonix Electric Mistress (reissue)

Modern equivalent · for the Electro‑Harmonix Electric Mistress

$130 to $170

Marshall 4x12 1960s Style Cabinet

Modern equivalent · for the Marshall 4x12 Cabinet

$800 to $1,200

Practical playing approach

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

1. 1.Select the bridge pickup on the Telecaster for a bright, cutting tone.
2. 2.Set the MXR Dyna Comp to moderate attack and sustain for even chord decay.
3. 3.Dial the Electric Mistress with low rate and depth for subtle, percussive flanging.
4. 4.Use a short analog delay (~300 ms) with low feedback to add space without clutter.
5. 5.Play with a light touch and let the compressor smooth the dynamics for clean articulation.