All Along the Watchtower Amp Settings
by Jimi Hendrix
Hendrix's cover of Dylan's All Along the Watchtower is a masterpiece of studio guitar layering. Multiple guitar tracks — acoustic rhythm, slide guitar, and overdriven lead — weave together through cranked Marshalls to create a dense, psychedelic tapestry.
What Makes This Tone Iconic
This recording showcases Hendrix as a producer and arranger, not just a player. Multiple guitar overdubs create a rich, swirling soundscape. The slide guitar parts add a vocal, crying quality while the rhythm guitars provide driving energy. The lead tone is pure Hendrix — Marshall fury with controlled chaos. It's the definitive example of multi-tracked rock guitar production.
Key Tone Elements
- Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100W for lead and rhythm overdubs
- Multiple guitar layers — acoustic, slide, lead, rhythm
- Slide guitar for the singing, vocal-quality interludes
- Wah pedal for lead expression
- Fuzz Face for additional gain on lead parts
Original Recording Settings
Original Gear
- Guitar
- 1968 Fender Stratocaster (Olympic White)
- Pickups
- Stock Fender Stratocaster (bridge and bridge+middle)
- Amplifier
- Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100W Plexi
- Channel
- Jumpered, cranked
- Tuning
- Eb standard
- Pickup Selector
- bridge / position 2
- Strings
- 0.010-0.038
Cranked Marshall stacks. Slide guitar on overdubs.
Amp Settings
Effects Chain
Playing Technique
Multiple guitar overdubs using different techniques: rhythm, lead, slide. The song features some of Hendrix's most melodic and structured soloing over a Bob Dylan composition. Slide guitar adds a distinctive texture.
Sources+
- Guitar World: Hendrix Electric Ladyland retrospective
- Equipboard.com - Jimi Hendrix
- Eddie Kramer (engineer) interviews
Get This Tone on Your Gear
Adapt the "All Along the Watchtower" tone by Jimi Hendrix to your specific amp, guitar, and pedals.
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