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Ghost - Square Hammer - Guitar Lesson

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Key F minor
Ghost - Square Hammer guitar lesson video
Guitar 365
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Amp Settings

Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
AI tone preset

AI-selected preset based on genre and era — adjust the knobs to taste.

Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.
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Ghost Hard Rock F minor
Capo Advisor 0 F minor · Original key

About Square Hammer

Few songs in Hard Rock wrap a genuinely catchy, almost anthemic riff in this much atmosphere. "Square Hammer" by Ghost opens with a clean, reverb-touched guitar figure that immediately sets the eerie mood, and getting that tone right is half the battle before you even think about technique. The song sits in F minor at a steady 120 BPM in standard E tuning, which makes it approachable for intermediate players, but the real work is in the feel: every note needs to ring with a slightly theatrical weight rather than rushed attack. The main riff is not technically brutal, but it demands clean fretting and controlled dynamics across both the verse and the driving chorus sections. The transitions between the clean intro texture and the heavier, fuller chorus guitar parts are where most players stumble. Use the Practice Toolbar to loop those transition moments slowed down until the shift feels natural, then gradually bring the tempo back up to the full 120 BPM.

  • The song sits in F minor in standard E tuning at 120 BPM, so no retuning is needed and a metronome at a moderate tempo is your best practice companion.
  • The signature intro figure relies on clean tone with reverb, making precise left-hand fretting and controlled pick attack more important than any advanced technique.
  • Nailing the shift from the atmospheric verse guitar texture to the fuller chorus requires careful attention to dynamics, making it a strong exercise in expressive rhythm playing.

How to Play Square Hammer

Tuning: E Standard · Key: F minor · Tempo: 120 BPM

Use the section loop to isolate a passage, drop the speed below 100%, and set the metronome to 120 BPM to build it up to tempo.

Gibson SG Standard
Guitar

Gibson SG Standard

Ghost's Nameless Ghouls use the SG's sharp body and bright tonality for cutting through dense production with articulate rhythm work. The guitar's natural sustain helps their chunky riffs maintain clarity without modern metal muddiness.

ESP Eclipse
Guitar

ESP Eclipse

The Eclipse provides Ghost with a versatile platform for both studio recordings and live performances, offering the tight response needed for their mid-focused crunch tones. Its sleek design and reliable electronics support their atmospheric lead passages seamlessly.

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
Amp

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier

This amp delivers Ghost's signature mid-heavy crunch at moderate gain levels, staying clear and tight during palm muting without descending into saturated distortion. The Dual Rectifier's natural breakup at 5-6 gain is perfect for their contrast between clean and driven passages.

Seymour Duncan JB
Pickup

Seymour Duncan JB

Ghost's ESP guitars benefit from the JB's aggressive high-end bite and punchy output, cutting through the mix during heavier sections. This combination bridges the gap between their clean arpeggios and crunchy, riff-driven moments with powerful definition.

Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9
Pedal

Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9

The TS9 tightens Ghost's rhythm tone and pushes their amp into responsive crunch without adding unnecessary coloration. This classic overdrive pedal is essential for maintaining their clean-to-driven dynamic without sacrificing the clarity they demand.

Boss CE-2 Chorus
Pedal

Boss CE-2 Chorus

The CE-2 creates the shimmery, dimensional quality throughout Ghost's atmospheric passages like Mary On A Cross and He Is. Its subtle modulation adds depth to clean arpeggios while respecting the band's minimalist effects philosophy.

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