Greta Van Fleet - Highway Tune - Guitar Lesson

Fender Stratocaster

Jake Kiszka uses the Stratocaster's stock single-coils for crystalline, glassy tones in cleaner passages and arpeggiated sections, providing chimey contrast to his Les Paul's thicker voice. The single-coil bite cuts through the mix when he needs sparkling texture without the humbuckers' natural compression.

Gibson Les Paul Standard

Jake's primary instrument, the Les Paul's PAF-style humbuckers and mahogany body deliver warm, dynamic tones that clean up beautifully when he rolls back the volume and break into rich harmonics when he digs in. Running through cranked Fender and Marshall tube amps, this setup defines Greta Van Fleet's signature vintage-rock sustain and power.

Gibson Les Paul Custom

The Les Paul Custom's thicker body and refined pickups extend Jake's warm, compressed-but-dynamic tone palette, offering subtle variations in harmonic response compared to his Standard model. This guitar maintains the same 50s-style wiring philosophy, ensuring smooth volume roll-off that preserves high-end clarity during lead work.

Gibson ES-335

Jake deploys the ES-335's warmer, jazzier voice for passages requiring mellower sustain and reduced bite, complementing the Les Paul's aggression in Greta Van Fleet's dynamic arrangements. Its semi-hollow body naturally adds resonance and subtlety, perfect for blues-influenced solos and atmospheric textures.

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah

Jake's most prominent effect, the Cry Baby wah defines funky rhythm passages and expressive solos throughout Greta Van Fleet's catalog, adding vocal-like movement to his lead lines. Used sparingly but effectively, it's the primary seasoning in his otherwise tube-driven, minimal-effects signal chain.

MXR Phase 90

The Phase 90 provides psychedelic swirling textures on select Greta Van Fleet tracks, adding spacious, hypnotic motion without overwhelming the core tube-amp tone. This occasional effect reinforces Jake's vintage-rock palette, channeling 70s progressive influences while keeping the primary focus on warm, dynamic guitar fundamentals.