Real AmpTuning: E StandardPickup: BridgeBeginner FriendlyBest for BeginnersAmbientAlternative Rock
Only by the Night Arena Bloom — Semi-Hollow Rhythm & Delayed Lead
The Followills’ period sound was built around semi-hollow Gibson-family guitars, chime-oriented Vox and Matchless amplifiers, reverb and restrained lead delay. A definitive song-specific studio chain has not been published, so these settings are approximated from the band’s documented live and album-era rigs. Source: Premier Guitar’s Kings of Leon rig feature and Guitar World’s Kings of Leon style guide.
Signal Chain
Gibson ES-325-style semi-hollow→Vox AC30→Vox AC30 2x12→Wide Rhythm Double→Output
GuitarGibson ES-325-style semi-hollow
Tone
8
PickupBridge
TuningE Standard
Volume
9
AmpVox AC30
Cut4.5
Bass
5
Gain
5
Mids
6
Master
7
Reverb
3.5
Treble
6
Cab / IRVox AC30 2x12
MicClose dynamic and room condenser
Mic PositionDynamic off-axis; condenser several feet back
EffectWide Rhythm Double
PanWide
Layers2
Tightness8
Notes
Keep the rhythm broad but lightly driven, allowing the repeated chords to remain distinct. The lead delay should create depth without obvious rhythmic repeats.
Don't have this gear?
See the same signal chain mapped to another platform. Knob values carry over as starting points — gain ranges differ between platforms.