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Riff Tone

Helpless

Neil Young & Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Guitarrock1970s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson ES-335 (likely 1959, as used by Neil Young on 'Helpless' studio recording)
Amp1959 Fender Tweed Deluxe 5E3

Amp Settings

gain6
bass6.5

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Effects & Signal Chain

Notes

Studio recording, 1969-1970. Neil Young used his 1959 Gibson ES-335 with PAF humbuckers into his signature 1959 Fender Tweed Deluxe 5E3 amp. No evidence of pedals or effects other than amp and outboard spring reverb. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this specific recording.

Tone Character(10)
warm and smoothedge-of-breakup crunchorganic tube sagdynamic and touch-sensitiveslightly compressedopen and woodyrich midrangesmooth top endnatural amp breakupclassic tweed character

Difficulty

The riff section of 'Helpless' is based on simple open chords with a slow tempo and straightforward strumming, making it accessible to beginners with minimal technical challenge.

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