Temple of the Dog - Say Hello 2 Heaven - Guitar Lesson

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Temple of the Dog - Say Hello 2 Heaven - Guitar Lesson

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Say Hello 2 Heaven


"Say Hello 2 Heaven" is a rock song by Temple of the Dog, written by vocalist Chris Cornell as a tribute and released as the second single from the band's sole studio album, Temple of the Dog (1991). The track reached number five on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, demonstrating its broad impact. For electric guitarists, the song offers a compelling mix of clean melodic passages and powerful grunge-era riffs, making it a rewarding study in dynamics and emotional phrasing.

  • The song was written by Chris Cornell, showcasing his approach to blending introspective lyrics with grunge-influenced guitar arrangements.
  • Temple of the Dog released only one studio album in 1991, making every track on it, including this one, a singular moment in rock history.
  • "Say Hello 2 Heaven" peaked at number five on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, reflecting its strong reception among rock audiences.
Fender Telecaster
Guitar

Fender Telecaster

Stone Gossard wielded the Telecaster for its bright, percussive single-coil attack that cut through Chris Cornell's vocals on Temple of the Dog. The snappy rhythm tone provided the perfect contrast to Mike McCready's thick Les Paul leads, defining the album's dynamic guitar interplay.

Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

Mike McCready's primary instrument, the Les Paul Standard delivered warm PAF-style humbuckers ideal for expressive bends and singing sustain. Its thick midrange became the sonic backbone of Temple of the Dog's lead guitar sound when pushed through cranked Marshall amplifiers.

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

A Les Paul variant McCready favored for its enhanced sustain and tonal warmth, the Custom's humbuckers provided the same vocal midrange that made his leads soar above Cornell's powerful vocals. The instrument's thicker construction reinforced the band's rich, sustain-driven overdrive tone.

Marshall JCM800
Amp

Marshall JCM800

McCready's primary amplifier, the JCM800 delivered natural tube saturation when cranked, creating thick, singing overdrive without relying on gain pedals. This head was essential to achieving Temple of the Dog's warm, expressive lead guitar tone that defined the album.

Fender Twin Reverb
Amp

Fender Twin Reverb

Stone Gossard used the Twin Reverb as a clean platform pushed just to breakup, letting his picking dynamics control the grit. The amp's sparkling cleans provided textural contrast to McCready's darker Marshall tones, creating the album's wide tonal spectrum.

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Pedal

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah

McCready deployed the Cry Baby wah sparingly for expressive lead accents on Temple of the Dog, using it as a tasteful ornament rather than a dominant effect. The wah enhanced his vocal-like phrasing without overshadowing the album's straightforward, amp-driven approach.