The Rolling Stones - Wild Horses - Guitar Lesson

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The Rolling Stones - Wild Horses - Guitar Lesson

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Classic Rock

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Wild Horses


"Wild Horses" is a ballad by the Rolling Stones, released on their 1971 album Sticky Fingers. Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the song blends country and rock influences with open, emotive chord work. For electric guitar players, it offers a rewarding study in clean tone dynamics, fingerpicking-friendly chord voicings, and the understated interplay between two guitar parts that defined the Stones' classic sound.

  • The Rolling Stones released 'Wild Horses' as a single on 12 June 1971, with 'Sway' as its B-side.
  • The Flying Burrito Brothers recorded a cover version of the song before the Stones' own release, appearing on their second album.
  • The song's chord progressions reward players exploring country-influenced electric guitar tones and light picking techniques.
Fender Stratocaster
Guitar

Fender Stratocaster

Ronnie Wood relies on the Strat's versatile single-coil tone for bright, cutting leads that complement Keith's darker textures. The guitar's natural snap cuts through the Stones' dense arrangements without losing warmth.

Fender Telecaster
Guitar

Fender Telecaster

Keith Richards' modified butterscotch Telecaster, fitted with a Gibson PAF humbucker, delivers the fatter, warmer attack that defines his rhythm work while maintaining the instrument's natural twang and cutting presence.

Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

This guitar anchors iconic Stones tracks like 'Sympathy for the Devil' and 'Gimme Shelter,' providing the thick, sustained tone and natural breakup Keith needs for his open-tuning chord work.

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

While not specifically mentioned in Keith's primary rig, the Custom's thicker body and hardware enhance sustain and warmth, making it an alternative for achieving the deeper, more compressed tones the Stones occasionally pursue.

Fender Twin Reverb
Amp

Fender Twin Reverb

Keith's preferred amp, the Twin Reverb's headroom and natural breakup create that sweet spot where tubes work hard without full distortion, perfectly complementing his open-tuning dynamics and pick attack sensitivity.

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
Amp

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier

For live shows requiring more gain and punch, this amp provides the boosted output the Stones need while maintaining the moderate tube breakup that's central to Keith's tone philosophy.