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The recording
Caleb Followill recorded the iconic riff on a semi‑hollow electric guitar, using the bridge pickup, through a Selmer TruVoice Treble‑N‑Bass Fifty amp pushed into a crunchy overdriven tone. The guitar track was then treated with an Eventide DSP4000 digital reverb and a Soundtoys EchoBoy delay during mixing, creating the spacious, synth‑like ambience heard in the song.
Tuning Standard (EADGBE)
Signal chain
Original gear
Semi‑hollow electric guitar (exact model undocumented)
Guitar
Caleb Followill uses a semi‑hollow electric guitar, employing the bridge pickup for the riff, as noted in a tone analysis of the recording.
Selmer TruVoice Treble‑N‑Bass Fifty
Amplifier
The band recorded the guitar through a Selmer TruVoice Treble‑N‑Bass Fifty amp, as reported in a producer interview for the 'Only By The Night' sessions.
Eventide DSP4000 Digital Reverb
Reverb
A digital reverb from an Eventide DSP4000 unit is applied to the guitar track, creating the synth‑like ambience noted in the mix.
Soundtoys EchoBoy
Delay
The guitar signal is processed with Soundtoys EchoBoy, providing the timed repeats heard in the chorus sections.
Alternatives
Practical playing approach
Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.
- 1.Play the main riff with the bridge pickup and keep the tone knob rolled back for a tighter, articulate sound.
- 2.Apply moderate overdrive, letting the amp’s natural crunch drive the attack.
- 3.Add a subtle delay timed to the song’s tempo (around 350 ms) to thicken the chordal passages.
- 4.Use a high‑up neck position for bends to capture the vocal‑like phrasing Caleb described.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What gear was used for the Sex on Fire guitar tone?
The available research points to Semi‑hollow electric guitar (exact model undocumented) into Selmer TruVoice Treble‑N‑Bass Fifty. The full reported signal chain and evidence links are listed on this page.
Are the original Sex on Fire amp settings documented?
Exact historical knob positions are not reliably documented for most recordings. ToneTwin does not publish generated values as studio fact; it creates playable settings only for the amp and pedals a player selects.
What tuning is Sex on Fire in?
The current research record lists Standard (EADGBE). ToneTwin keeps corrections open when reliable accounts disagree.
How do I recreate the Sex on Fire tone on my own gear?
Use the reported pickup, gain character, effects and signal-chain order as the target, then translate that target to your equipment. The matcher models controls for your selected rig rather than copying undocumented studio numbers.
Researched and reviewed by the ToneTwin Research Team.
