Creator Area
Sign in Creator Area

The Black Crowes - Hard to Handle - Guitar Tab

Practice Studio

The Black Crowes - Hard to Handle - Guitar Tab

Sections · Loop · Speed · Metronome

Not in tune?

SECTIONS

Select a Loop

Start of your loop
End of your loop

Speed Control

Speed
100%

Tools

BPM
Key E major
The Black Crowes - Hard to Handle guitar tab video
Mr. Tabs
Mr. Tabs Top Contributor
YouTube: 1.1Msubs 76Kviews
Creator Page →
·
–50¢ 0 +50¢
· Tap to start

Your browser will ask for microphone permission.

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.
Listen on Spotify
The Black Crowes Rock E major
Capo Advisor 0 E major · Original key

Hard to Handle

"Hard to Handle" is a soul classic originally written and recorded by Otis Redding in 1968, later made famous to rock audiences by The Black Crowes. Their guitar-driven rendition transforms the R&B groove into a raw, bluesy rock workout, making it a standout track for electric guitarists. The song is a great study in combining rhythm and lead playing, with riff-based structure rooted in Southern blues-rock.

  • The original was co-written by Otis Redding, Al Bell, and Allen Jones, first released as a B-side in 1968.
  • The Black Crowes' version highlights tight rhythm guitar interplay, a useful exercise in locking groove with a band.
  • Otis Redding's original reached number 38 on the Billboard R&B chart, showing the song's strong roots in soul music.
Fender Telecaster
Guitar

Fender Telecaster

Marc Ford's weapon of choice during his Black Crowes tenure, adding snappy brightness and articulation to lead lines that cut through Rich Robinson's warm rhythm foundation. The Tele's natural twang complements the band's blues-rock swagger.

Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

Rich Robinson's primary voice, with late-'50s and early-'60s spec PAF humbuckers delivering warm, thick midrange and dynamic responsiveness. His ability to shift from clean shimmer to crunchy overdrive via pick attack and volume knob control defines The Black Crowes' signature tone.

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

A heavier Les Paul variant offering deeper, more aggressive midrange character than the Standard, giving the band tonal variety for harder-hitting passages. Its thicker body adds sustain and compression for drive-heavy moments.

Gibson ES-335
Guitar

Gibson ES-335

Rich Robinson's semi-hollow secret weapon, providing a slightly more transparent, resonant character than solid Les Pauls while maintaining PAF humbucker warmth. Perfect for cleaner passages where note definition and natural feedback control matter.

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)
Amp

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)

The 1959 Super Lead is The Black Crowes' tone foundation, delivering natural tube breakup and power tube compression that responds to pick dynamics without high-gain distortion. Pushed hard for that organic, touch-sensitive overdrive essential to their blues-rock groove.

Marshall JTM45
Amp

Marshall JTM45

Rich Robinson's lighter-duty vintage Marshall option, offering similar tube-driven breakup character to the 1959 at lower wattages. Perfect for capturing that sweet spot where power tubes compress and every pick articulation cuts through.

Recommended for You