Learn How To Sound Like Jack White (The White Stripes)

We've put together a quick Jack White gear guide so you know what amps, pedals and effects you need to sound like Jack White & The White Stripes.  Check out this video for a complete guide to a range of Jack's most famous tones:

The secret weapon of Jack White is his pedalboard, which has been subject of several discussions on web-forums, ever since they became famous.

Fortunately for us mere mortals, his setup is very simple and he doesn't use anything too rare or obscure as far as FX pedals go. It's quite simple and involves these four pedals:

Guitar >> MXR Micro Amp >> Digitech Whammy >> Electro Harmonix Big Muff >> Electro Harmonix POG >> Amp

The MXR Micro Amp is used to boost the signal whenever he needs it – some sources say it's on at all times.

The MXR Micro Amp is used to boost the signal whenever he needs it – some sources say it's on at all times.

This pedal is perfect for adding that extra boost to your solos and single note riffs when you need to stand out in the mix. 

He uses the Digitech Whammy for solos (2 Octaves up) and that's one of his trademark sounds – the crunchy Big Muff and the Digitech Whammy at the same time... most of Jack White's solos are played like that.

Jack also uses the Digitech Whammy with the Octaves down setting, to make his guitar sound like a bass on “7 Nation Army”. As you can see, it's a very versatile pedal.

The Digitech Whammy DT Pitch Shifting Guitar Effects Pedal is the current model available today.

Jack White's main distortion is the classic Big Muff Fuzz pedal, which now has been painted red.

This is one of the best fuzz pedals of all time and is responsible for some of the most recognisable White Stripes sounds and riffs. 

The POG is one of EHX's newest pedals, and was used for the guitar sounds on “Blue Orchid”, the first single from their previous album “Get Behind Me Satan”. It's unknown if he uses it for anything else. Unfortunately, the original version is now out of production and is fetching the same price as a small island on 2nd hand dealer sites.

However, EHX has produced the POG 2 which offers the same functionality with greater reliability. It will even let you save your settings and activate them with one click - perfect if someone changes your settings without asking!

Jack White also uses two other pedals, but which have nothing to do with his sound: the Boss TU-2 Tuner which has now been updated to the TU-3, and a pedal to cutoff the signal, to mute his guitar whenever he needs it - which the TU-3 is actually capable of doing too!

Here, things get a bit more complicated...up until recently, when he started playing Gretsch guitars, Jack White only used old, obscure guitars such as the Montgomery Ward Airline, which used to be sold in department stores in the USA in the 60s. Somewhat hard to come by now!

Well...if you can't get hold of one on Ebay, the best idea is to get a good retro-style guitar. If you're going for that White Stripes look, then the guitar must be red. However, Jack White doesn't only play red guitars in his bands The Dead Weather (although he plays the drums) and The Raconteurs. However, some main threads that appear are the use of guitars that provide a fuller, thicker sound and semi-hollow body guitars.  Here are some guitars that Jack White uses and has used during his career as well as some alternatives, or options that get VERY close to his sound. 

The Gretsch G5232T Electromatic Double Jet FT in Tahiti Red is a great starting point for those who want that Jack White sound. Jack White is a Gretsch guitars user and the fact that it's red is a bonus!

Jack White has been quoted as saying he started out with a Gretsch Anniversary Jr, which he made into a double-cutaway guitar. The closest thing you get get to that guitar is this one - it provides a full sound that can cut through any mix.

Back in the very early days of The White Stripes - before Meg and Jack wore exclusively red and black costumes and played red and black instruments - Jack was using a white Gibson SG Standard with the half scratchplate. 

Pictured is the Gibson 1961 Les Paul SG Standard Reissue Stop Bar - an excellent reproduction of the original double-cutaway design.

Jack White was actually one of the first people to get their hands on a Fender American Acoustasonic Telecaster guitar. These awesome hybrid guitars partner acoustic and electronic sensibilities allowing you to effectively flick between and acoustic and an electric via the pickup switches.

You can see him using a custom model in The Raconteurs - "Help Me Stranger" video.

He told Premier Guitar "He [Chip Ellis, master builder at the EVH] got me the new Acoustasonic Telecaster, which was the first one out of the Custom Shop that they’d done. That’s been really helpful onstage, because you can switch from acoustic to electric in the middle of the song. I’m using that a lot onstage."

View the full range of Fender American Acoustasonic guitars.

Jack White's favourite amp is a super-rare Silvertone model, but he also uses a Fender Twin Reverb. There are a few different models, such as the Tonemaster Twin Reverb and the Custom 68.

In an interview for Guitar Player a few years ago, White said:

"The Silvertone is really rare," says White. "It took me five years to find it, and now I have two. The Silvertone gives me the crunch-and the crunch that comes from those six Jensen speakers is amazing-and the Twin gives me the reverb. I run both amps all the way up. I used to get upset because of that theory you get from sound guys-you know, 'Turn it down onstage and we'll pump you through the monitors.' I don't trust that. I need my amps pointed at me full blast. That's a weakness of mine, but I have to have it. I mean, it's just me and Meg up there, so the guitar has to be strong."

The Fender 68 Custom Twin Reverb Guitar Amplifier Combo is perfect for getting that valve saturated growl that Jack White loves.

The fact you have a built in spring reverb and vibrato means you can add extra weight and presence to your sound - ideal if it's just you and a drummer!

If you're looking for a more affordable alternative to the Fender Twin, you might like to try the Fender Blues Junior, which has the classic Fender tone and reverb in a small – but still quite loud – 15-watt amp.

If you want a crunchier amp, but can't get a Silvertone, then try the Orange Crush 35 RT Solid State 35W Combo Amp, that should give you all the crunchy sounds you need to get your Jack White tone nailed!

That's it for the White Stripes sound - we hope this info will have helped you to get the Jack White sound, or at least as close as possible to sounding a bit like the man himself!