How I craft 80s inspired guitar tones – three ESSENTIAL elements.
I’ve been listening to and writing a ton of music that’s draws heavy inspiration from the guitar tones and production choices of the 80s. It was a decade marked by shimmering chorus tones and thick compressed lead tones. Today we’re diving into three essential elements of great 80s inspired guitar tones and exploring how I go about creating the sounds that are in my head. These sounds are heavily inspired by modern bands such as Night Traveler, The Strike, The Midnight and many others – as well as the iconic 80s bands like The Smiths, U2, and more.
Listening to any 80s-inspired artists or have a special trick you use to cop those magical tones? Drop a note in the comments!
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GEAR LIST
Fender 1970s Musicmaster Bass – https://tidd.ly/4hgFqX4
Yamaha Pacifica Standard+ – https://tidd.ly/3DUb6Dr
Matchless 30/15 – https://tidd.ly/4fT0Ect
UA Ox Box – https://tidd.ly/3DUbiTb
29 Pedals EUNA – https://tidd.ly/4gQeRbB
Vox Smooth Impact Compressor – https://tidd.ly/3DRPaJ3
Line6 HX One – https://tidd.ly/4ajZCoF
Strymon Volante – https://tidd.ly/3DWvNyD
Strymon BigSky MX – https://tidd.ly/3C4cGlD
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CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro Track
01:21 I love the 80s
04:13 The right guitar
06:16 The amp
08:20 Pedals
11:52 Crafting the sounds
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#craft #80s #inspired #guitar #tones #ESSENTIAL #elements
Originally posted by UCCiOrSoc5jGvkidldri7img at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h742oOZShdQ
The Strokes The New Abnormal has very 80s guitar tones I think. Bad Decisions is like if a bunch of 80s songs had a baby.
And Talking Heads are my favorite band that was popular in the 80s.
As you know, I know nothing of guitars, amps, pedals and the like. I did however graduate from high school in 1985, so these sounds are near and dear to my heart. Thanks for providing some background info on how some of this is created today.
Night Traveler deserves to be bigger than they are. Awesome tones man!!
Thanks for the mentions of Night Traveler and The Strike. I love the Midnight but hadn’t heard of the others.
Yeah – I´m totally into that song in the intro! At first I couldn`t stop listening, then I had to jam to it with my guitar. ????Great, thank you!????
I love night traveler! I’ve listened to them for years!
Forget chorus just put a gate on everything
YESSSSSSSS GIVE ME ALL THE 80s!!!!!????????
I will say that Robbie Blunt from Robert Plants 1st few solo albums are essential to capturing the 80’s feel as well.
And who cannot forget Alex Lifeson. Signals album took me and I haven’t looked back since.
Mxr dropping the new rockman pedal seems appropriate LOL hope you get to demo it!
Strymon DIG is the one I feel that gives me retrowave. My favourite band in the genre is Gunship although their music leans more into the synthesizers.
I feel Robyn Hitchcock is a crazy under valued guitarist/ artist. He & The Church made several excellent 80's albums, and evolved their sound while staying centered through the decade. Peter Buck is a gem too. Melodic arpeggio to straight up loud riffs. Great video.
Drab Majesty!! Their guitar tones are other worldly
Nice sounds. Reminded me of the war on drugs’ I don’t live here anymore.
Let's goooo. Love a good 80's tone.
Well tbh some of my fav 80s guitar tones are from the Def Leppard album Hysteria. The title track is such a moody masterpiece from a hair band, along with Is This Love? from Whitesnake. I also love the guitar choices from INXS, Tears For Fears "Songs From The Big Chair" album, the Power Station's self titled record, and anything from the criminally underrated Pretenders. As for modern bands with the same feel, the War on Drugs and Colony House are always recommended.
Johnny Marr, The Edge and Andy Summers ????????
Strat pickups are in-phase, not out of phase, btw
When i think 80's i think guns n roses, not the plasticity chorus tones.
check out the Toronto band Lost Cousins