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The Rolling Stones - Sympathy For The Devil - Guitar Tab

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The Rolling Stones - Sympathy For The Devil - Guitar Tab

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Key E major
The Rolling Stones - Sympathy For The Devil guitar tab video
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Classic Rock

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Beggars Banquet (2018 Remaster) album cover
Beggars Banquet (2018 Remaster)
1968 6:18
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The Rolling Stones Rock 1968 E major
Capo Advisor 0 E major · Original key

Sympathy For The Devil

"Sympathy for the Devil" is a landmark track by The Rolling Stones, opening their 1968 album Beggars Banquet. Written by Mick Jagger and credited to the Jagger–Richards partnership, the song blends samba rhythms with raw rock energy, creating a hypnotic groove that rewards electric guitarists who study its layered riff work and dynamic build. Its enduring reputation, including a place on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, makes it a compelling and worthwhile addition to any guitarist's repertoire.

  • The song opens Beggars Banquet (1968), setting a bold, unconventional tone for the entire album from the first note.
  • Ranked number 106 on Rolling Stone magazine's 2021 edition of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
  • The track's samba-influenced rhythm requires guitarists to lock tightly into a percussive groove rather than rely on heavy rock power chords.
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.

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