Purple Haze
Psychedelic Rock · inspired by Jimi Hendrix
Legendary psychedelic rock tone with sustain-heavy Marshall Plexi pushed into natural breakup. Signature wah-influenced tone recreated through presence of echo and reverb.
Amp
0–100 · 50 = noon- Pickup
- Bridge
- Volume
- 10
- Tone
- 9
Cabinet
Effects
2 on- Echotape echotime 120ms · feedback 30 · mix 25
- Reverbplatedecay 30 · pre-delay 10 · tone 60 · mix 30
Off: compressor, gate, modulation
Songs with this sound
About this tone
The artist
Jimi Hendrix revolutionized rock guitar with innovative feedback and effects experimentation in the late 1960s, becoming one of the most influential guitarists in music history.
Where the tone comes from
Purple Haze's tone comes from a Fender Stratocaster pushed through a Marshall Plexi amplifier into feedback-heavy saturation, with heavy use of fuzz and echo effects for atmospheric texture.
Context
Recorded in 1966 and released on his debut album 'Are You Experienced', 'Purple Haze' became iconic for its fuzzy, sustain-heavy lead tone that defined psychedelic rock and influenced generations of guitarists.
How to play it
- Sustain Through Feedback Position close to amplifier to encourage controlled feedback. Bend notes while letting sustain ring naturally. The key is finding the sweet spot between amp and speaker cone.
- Tone Knob Expression Use the guitar's tone knob and volume knob to shape the fuzz character. Roll back tone slightly for warmth, or push it forward for cutting treble and presence.
- Wah and Vibrato Technique Combine wah pedal sweeps with natural vibrato arm movements. The wah adds vocal-like expression while the vibrato adds emotional depth to sustained notes.
Original gear
- Amp
- Marshall 1987 100W Plexi amplifier
- Guitar
- Fender Stratocaster (often with reversed string orientation, upside down)
- Cabinet
- Marshall 4x12 cabinet
- Notes
- Heavy use of fuzz pedal, fuzz box, and tape echo effects. Known for creating feedback by tilting amp and positioning guitar near speaker.
Watch and listen
What each control does
- Gain
- Preamp drive. Higher adds breakup, sustain and distortion.
- Master
- Output level and feel. Balances loudness without changing the EQ.
- Bass
- Low-end body. Too much gets boomy; less tightens palm mutes.
- Mid
- Note focus. More mids help leads cut through; fewer sound wider.
- Treble
- Brightness and attack. Raise for bite, lower to soften harshness.
- Compressor
- Evens out picking dynamics and adds sustain.
- Gate
- Cuts hiss when you are not playing.
- Modulation
- Chorus or phaser: movement and width.
- Echo
- Repeats your signal. Time and mix set the space.
- Reverb
- Room, plate or hall ambience after the amp.
Similar tones
Values are community approximations, not official manufacturer presets. Song titles, artist names and gear models belong to their owners and are used for reference only.