Self Esteem

The recording

Recorded in 1994 at Track Record Studios in North Hollywood with producer Thom Wilson. Dexter Holland tracked the rhythm guitars on a 1965 Gibson SG using the bridge humbucker, while lead parts were recorded with an Ibanez Custom RG. The guitars were run through a Boss DS‑1 Distortion before hitting a Marshall JCM800 100 W head into a 4×12 Celestion G12‑65 cabinet, delivering the tight, mid‑range crunch heard throughout the song.

Reported gear

Gibson 1965 SG

Guitar

Dexter Holland recorded the main rhythm guitars on his 1965 Gibson SG, using the bridge humbucker to get a thick mid‑range crunch that drives the verses of "Self Esteem".

Ibanez Custom RG Series

Guitar

Lead guitar parts were captured with Dexter Holland's Ibanez Custom RG, whose hot‑routed bridge pickup adds a sharper edge to the solo sections.

Boss DS-1 Distortion

Distortion

A Boss DS‑1 provides the gritty overdrive that shapes the aggressive edge of the verse riff, preserving clarity while adding bite.

Marshall JCM800 100W Head

Amplifier

The signal is driven into a Marshall JCM800 100 W head, delivering the tight, mid‑focused crunch that defines the song’s core tone.

Marshall 4x12 Celestion G12-65 Cabinet

Cabinet

A 4×12 cabinet loaded with Celestion G12‑65 speakers projects the distorted tone with a punchy low‑mid response.

Alternatives

Gibson SG Standard (Reissue)

Reissue · for the Gibson 1965 SG

$1,200 to $1,500

Marshall JCM800 100W (reissue)

Modern equivalent · for the Marshall JCM800 100W Head

$1,200 to $1,600

Ibanez RG Series (modern)

Modern equivalent · for the Ibanez Custom RG Series

$600 to $900

Marshall 4x12 Celestion G12‑65 Cabinet

Modern equivalent · for the Marshall 4x12 Celestion G12-65 Cabinet

$500 to $800

Boss DS-1 Distortion

Still made · for the Boss DS-1 Distortion

$50 to $70

Practical playing approach

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

1. 1.Lock in tight palm‑muted downstrokes for the verse power‑chord rhythm.
2. 2.Use alternate picking on the opening arpeggios, letting the notes ring cleanly before distortion kicks in.
3. 3.Select the bridge humbucker for maximum bite on the rhythm parts.
4. 4.Keep the distortion moderate – just enough grit to cut through without losing note definition.
5. 5.During the solo, pull back the tone knob slightly for a smoother, singing lead tone.