🎸 Rock · 1970s

Beast of Burden by The Rolling Stones (Riff · Distorted) — Guitar Tone

by The Rolling Stones · riff

The Beast of Burden by The Rolling Stones guitar tone is built on a Ampeg VT-22, dialed in at gain 4/10, bass 6, mid 7, treble 6.5, presence 6 (community-researched baseline). Full breakdown below — then adapt every knob to your exact guitar and amp, free.

🎛️ These settings are for the original rig — re-dial them for YOUR amp in 10 seconds. Free, no signup →

Amp settings (0–10)

GAIN

BASS

MID

6.5

TREBLE

PRESENCE

REVERB

Community-researched baseline. Your rig is different — GuitarToneAdapt re-dials every knob for your specific guitar, amp and pickups.

How these settings compare

Measured against the 540 rock tones in our researched catalog: Gain 4 sits right around the rock average (4.8); mids at 7 are right around average (6.2).

Guitar controls

8-9

VOLUME

7-8

TONE

Original gear

Guitar: 1975 Fender Telecaster Custom · Amp: Ampeg VT-22

Studio recording, 1978. Keith Richards played the main riff on a Telecaster Custom through an Ampeg VT-22. Some sources mention a Maestro Fuzz-Tone was used on the album, but not specifically on this song's riff. Phaser effect is clearly audible and confirmed by multiple sources. Settings estimated based on era, amp, and genre as no direct knob values are available.

Gear used on this tone

🎚️ Fender Telecaster songs & tones →🎚️ humbucker guitars songs & tones →🎚️ single-coil guitars songs & tones →🎚️ MXR Phase 90 songs & tones →

Don’t own this gear? GuitarToneAdapt re-creates the sound on the rig you actually have.

Pickups

Neck pickup (Wide Range Humbucker)

Signal chain

1975 Fender Telecaster Custom → Phaser pedal (model unknown, likely MXR Phase 90) → Ampeg VT-22

Effects

phaser, reverb

Amp effects: Reverb (spring, level 3)

Tone character

warm and slightly gritty, classic Stones crunch, modulated swirl from phaser, articulate and dynamic, touch-sensitive response, full-bodied midrange, not overly compressed, clear note separation, edge-of-breakup drive, organic amp overdrive

Recording context

studio

How it’s played

straight, medium tempo, medium dynamics · crunch distortion. This shapes how hard the amp is pushed and where the EQ sits for the Beast of Burden sound.

Difficulty

3/5 · Riff

The riff requires intermediate skill due to its syncopated rhythm, dynamic muting, and the need to play cleanly with a modulated (phaser) effect. While not technically advanced, the groove and feel are essential for authenticity.

Worth knowing

No direct amp knob settings found; values estimated based on typical Ampeg VT-22 use in classic rock context.
Phaser effect is confirmed by multiple sources and is clearly audible in the riff.
Maestro Fuzz-Tone is mentioned as used on the album, but not specifically on 'Beast of Burden' riff section.
No evidence of delay, chorus, or reverb pedals; amp reverb is likely but not prominent.
Guitar and amp model confirmed for studio recording, but pickup selector inferred from typical Stones tone and audio.
Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Keith Richards' 'Beast of Burden' riff uses a Telecaster into a clean-to-edge-of-breakup Fender amp (likely a Twin or Tweed), with forward mids, moderate bass, and smooth treble for that chimey, articulate Stones sound; subtle spring reverb and moderate presence add clarity without harshness.

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Beast of Burden guitar tone — FAQ

What amp settings do I need for the Beast of Burden guitar tone?

Set your amp to roughly: gain 4, bass 6, mid 7, treble 6.5, presence 6, reverb 3. These are community-researched baselines — GuitarToneAdapt re-dials them for your exact guitar and amp.

What gear was used for the Beast of Burden tone?

Original gear/effects: Guitar: 1975 Fender Telecaster Custom · Amp: Ampeg VT-22; phaser, reverb.

Can I get the Beast of Burden tone on a different guitar or amp?

Yes. Different guitars and amps need different knob positions to sound the same. GuitarToneAdapt models pickup output and wood brightness, then compensates so you match the record on your own rig.

How do I sound like The Rolling Stones on Beast of Burden — what gear and pedals?

Start with Neck pickup (Wide Range Humbucker), the amp EQ above (gain 4, bass 6, mid 7, treble 6.5, presence 6, reverb 3), and phaser, reverb. Then let GuitarToneAdapt compensate for the guitar, amp and pedals you actually own so it sits like the record.

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Sources

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More like this

🎸 How to get The Rolling Stones’s guitar tone → · 🎸 more Rock guitar tones → · 🎚️ Ampeg settings → · 🎛️ best rock amp settings → · 🎸 more iconic guitar riffs → · 🎚️ Phaser tone guide → · 🎯 more articulate tones → · 📖 New to amp settings? What every knob does →

Settings are community-researched estimates, not official. GuitarToneAdapt adapts them to your gear. guitartoneadapt.com