Start Me Up

The recording

Keith Richards recorded the rhythm part on a Telecaster tuned to open G (D-G-D-G-B-D) with the low E string removed, using the bridge pickup and a hard-picked attack. The guitar was miked close while a cranked Fender Twin Reverb was set to a clean headroom that broke up naturally when the strings were struck. Engineer Chris Kimsey captured the amp at EMI-Pathé Marconi Studios in Paris, with additional overdubs done later at Electric Lady Studios in New York.

Tuning Open G (D-G-D-G-B-D), low E string removed (5-string)

Reported gear

Fender American Vintage II 1963 Telecaster

Guitar

Richards used a 1963 Fender Telecaster (American Vintage II re‑issue) tuned to open G with the low E string removed, selecting the bridge pickup for the bright, punchy rhythm on 'Start Me Up'.

Fender Twin Reverb

Amp

The Telecaster was run into a cranked Fender Twin Reverb, set to clean headroom that just began to break up, providing the signature jangly yet gritty tone heard on the track.

Alternatives

Fender Player Telecaster

Modern equivalent · for the Fender American Vintage II 1963 Telecaster

$500 to $600

Fender Hot Rod Deluxe

Modern equivalent · for the Fender Twin Reverb

$400 to $600

Practical playing approach

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

1. 1.Tune your Telecaster to Open G (D-G-D-G-B-D) and remove the low E string.
2. 2.Select the bridge pickup and attack the strings with a hard pick for a bright, percussive attack.
3. 3.Crank the Twin Reverb to a level where the amp just starts to break up, avoiding any distortion pedal.
4. 4.Let the natural amp breakup add grit; keep the volume high but avoid clipping the preamp.
5. 5.Bar the chord across two strings to produce the signature fifth‑interval riff.