Use Somebody

The recording

Matthew Followill recorded the iconic octave hook on a 1960s Gibson Les Paul Standard using the bridge pickup, feeding a clean Line 6 digital delay into a Matchless combo amp; the part was tracked at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, where an Eventide DSP4000 added a lush reverb that gives the phrase its synth‑like shimmer.

Tuning Standard E A D G B E

Reported gear

1960s Gibson Les Paul Standard

Guitar

Matthew Followill used a 1960s Gibson Les Paul Standard, selecting the bridge pickup for a bright, cutting tone on the song’s hook.

Line 6 Digital Delay (model unspecified)

Delay

A Line 6 digital delay creates the rhythmic repeating octave that forms the song’s signature melodic hook.

Matchless Combo

Amp

Producer Jacquire King confirmed a Matchless combo amp was used for the clean, bright tone on "Use Somebody".

Reverb

Eventide DSP4000

Reverb

An Eventide DSP4000 unit added the lush studio reverb that gives the hook its synth‑like sheen.

Alternatives

Epiphone Les Paul Standard

Budget alternative · for the 1960s Gibson Les Paul Standard

$400 to $600

Fender '57 Bassman Reissue

Budget alternative · for the Matchless Combo

$1,200 to $1,600

Boss DD-3 Digital Delay

Budget alternative · for the Line 6 Digital Delay (model unspecified)

$150 to $200

TC Electronic Hall of Fame 2 Reverb

Budget alternative · for the Eventide DSP4000

$120 to $150

Practical playing approach

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

1. 1.Select the bridge pickup and set the tone knob high for brightness.
2. 2.Play the octave melody with a light pick attack, close to the bridge.
3. 3.Enable a clean digital delay with a short repeat to recreate the rhythmic echo.
4. 4.Add a subtle reverb to achieve the synth‑like sheen.
5. 5.Keep the guitar volume at full to drive the amp’s clean tone.