Ever dreamed of nailing that iconic Jimi Hendrix sound? You know, the one that makes your guitar wail, scream, and sing like it’s possessed by the spirit of rock itself? Many of us Pedal Players have aspired to achieve that raw and electrifying tone at some point, some at the very start of our six-string journey.
We all know that the magic’s in the fingers it’s the player that really makes the sound, but there’s a lot we can do in terms of choosing the right gear to chase that legendary tone. We’re talking wah-wah pedals, cranked amps, and a special Strat style. But grab whatever axe you’ve got, and let’s get ready to unleash that inner Jimi magic.
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The Upside-Down Strat
Let’s start with guitars. You’ve probably seen Hendrix most commonly wielding his Fender Stratocasters, right-handed and flipped and stringed upside-down. He did this to accommodate his natural left-handed playing (and because left-handed guitars were scarcer in the 60s), but did you know it actually had an effect on his tone? By flipping a Strat, the headstock orientation is altered, so now the high e string is the shortest and the low E the longest, when measured from bridge to tuning peg.
This is not what we would call scale length – that would be the distance from the bridge to the nut – but even beyond the nut the string length and tension can have influence overall sound and feel. With the shorter length on the high end strings, Jimi was able to bend more easily with his leads, whilst maintaining a tight low end sound for his riffs on the wound strings. It’s somewhat hypothetical, but having a longer low E string (even past the nut) can contribute towards a fuller sound and better sustain, especially with the straight string-pull of a Stat headstock.
Now, if you’re a righty and you want to capture that edgy and radical look Hendrix had on stage with his guitars flipped – you’d have to track down a left-handed Strat and do the whole trick in reverse. But, luckily enough, there are some right-handed Strat models out there with reversed headstocks, including the signature Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster from Fender, available in classic colors and capturing the wild vibe of rock’s legendary showman. The guitar even incorporates a reverse mount single coil American Vintage ‘65 pickup and reverse pole pieces on all pickups, to truly capture that topsy-turvy vibe!
As an aside, a cool inbuilt feature of a six-in-line reverse headstock is that you can keep your fretting hand in playing position when tuning, rather than reaching over the neck. So, there are actually a few advantages to the reverse headstock, in addition to capturing the Jimi look.
For completionism sake, Jimi also jammed on Gibson SGs, Flying Vs and Epiphone Casinos, and there are even pics of him out there tearing it up on a flipped-over Les Paul. While the Strat was his go-to, Jimi wasn’t afraid to mix it up. In the end it’s how you play that counts, but now you know the Strat secrets behind the Hendrix guitar sound.
Crank it Up!
It’s about to get loud! Hendrix’s amp of choice was the now legendary Marshall ‘Plexi’ Super Lead 100W, which he used to achieve natural tube distortion by cranking the volume. These beastly amp heads were then driven through 4×12 Marshall speaker cabinets, loaded with Celestion Greenback speakers. It doesn’t get much more classic than that! We know that cranking a monster Marshall head isn’t an option for everyone, so that’s where we recommend you…
Get Stompin’
When getting into pedals, as we are wont to do at Pedal Players, you can’t talk Hendrix without mentioning the wah-wah pedal. This bad boy was practically glued to Jimi’s pedalboard. It’s what gives that almost vocal sounding effect, most noticeable in legendary tracks like “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)”. The Vox Wah was a staple in Jimi’s arsenal, giving his solos that sweeping, psychedelic quality. Next, you’ll want a good fuzz pedal.
Hendrix loved the sound of overdriven amps, and a fuzz pedal can help you achieve that thick, saturated tone without blowing out your neighbors’ windows. He specifically used the Dallas-Arbiter Fuzz Face, but there are plenty of awesome fuzz pedals on the market that will capture that Jimi vibe, such as the Dunlop FFM3, JHMS4 Hendrix ’68 Gypsys Fuzz, and the MXR Classic 108 Fuzz.
To get that airy sound Hendrix was famous for, you’ll need a Uni-Vibe pedal. It’s what gives songs like “Machine Gun” their otherworldly quality. This pedal combines chorus and vibrato effects to create a unique, pulsating tone.
Last but not least, consider adding an Octavia pedal to your setup. This little gem adds an octave above your original note, creating that sci-fi sound you hear in solos like “Purple Haze”. It’s a bit tricky to use, but once you get the hang of it it’s a lot of fun, and really adds some expression and depth to your sound. Remember, these pedals are just tools. The real magic comes from how you use them.
Experimentation and Playing
You know that mind-bending sound Hendrix was famous for? It all starts with his unique approach to chord melodies and blues scales. Try mixing up your chord progressions with some tasty blues licks. Don’t be afraid to get a little messy – that’s where the magic happens!
Hendrix also wasn’t afraid to use his guitar as a percussion instrument or try unconventional techniques. Experiment with how hard you strike the strings, try vibrato at the top of a bend, put your thumb over the neck of the guitar while playing to see if you can find new shapes and sounds.
Whilst all the greats have their own inimitable vibrato and tonal fingerprint, you should be able to come close to Hendrix’s sound by learning some of his licks and songs, and who knows, you just might stumble upon your own signature sound in the process!
In Summary
Hendrix was the king of controlled chaos. He’d crank up the gain and let the feedback soar. Play around with your amp settings and don’t shy away from a little (or a lot) of distortion. Remember, it’s all about finding that perfect balance between clarity and raw sonic power.
You don’t need a Jimi signature Strat or a cranked Marshall to replicate Hendrix’s tone, as S-type guitars are undoubtably the most common on the market, and there are plenty of affordable pedal options to get you in the ballpark. By combining these elements and experimenting with your own style, you’ll be well on your way to capturing that distinct Hendrix tone.
