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The Ventures - Runaway - Guitar Tab

Sections · Loop · Speed · Metronome

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Speed Control

Speed
100%

Tools

BPM
Key A minor
The Ventures - Runaway guitar tab video
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Amp Settings

Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
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Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.
Let's Go! album cover
Let's Go!
1963 2:13
Listen on Spotify
The Ventures Pop Rock 1963 A minor
Capo Advisor 0 A minor · Original key

About Runaway

A cover of Del Shannon's 1961 hit, "Runaway" gets a clean, punchy treatment from The Ventures that makes it a rewarding study in surf-inflected Pop Rock guitar. Playing it in A minor at 120 BPM, you will find the tempo comfortable enough to focus on tone and articulation rather than speed. The signature challenge is nailing that crisp, trebly lead melody cleanly and in time, keeping each note even and deliberate. Rhythm guitar here rewards a light, consistent picking hand: the groove depends on staying tight and steady rather than flashy. If the melodic lead line trips you up in a particular bar, set an A/B loop around just that section and run it slowed down using the Practice Toolbar until the fingering feels automatic. E Standard tuning means no retuning is needed, so you can get straight to work on phrasing and the subtle vibrato touches that give the melody its character.

  • The lead melody sits comfortably in A minor and works well as a single-string picking exercise for players building right-hand consistency.
  • E Standard tuning is used throughout, so no retuning is required before tackling this arrangement.
  • At 120 BPM the tempo is moderate, making it a good piece to practise clean note separation and even pick attack.

How to Play Runaway

Tuning: E Standard · Key: A 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.

Fender Telecaster
Guitar

Fender Telecaster

Nokie Edwards used the Telecaster alongside his signature Mosrite for bright, cutting lead tones in The Ventures' surf arrangements. Its sharp attack and clarity complemented the band's single-note melody-driven style perfectly.

Fender Jazzmaster
Guitar

Fender Jazzmaster

Don Wilson's primary rhythm instrument, the Jazzmaster's warm offset body and smooth tone provided the perfect foundation for The Ventures' clean, articulate chord work and surf arrangements.

Fender Twin Reverb
Amp

Fender Twin Reverb

The Twin Reverb's built-in spring reverb and tremolo circuits were essential to The Ventures' signature sound, creating the drippy, shimmering surf tone that defined their era when run clean.

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