E-instruments Desolate Guitars

A TIMELESS SOUND REDEFINED

Four classic guitars, two iconic amps, real spring reverb, and extensive FX presets. All recorded and designed by guitarists.

Desolate Guitars embodies a timeless sound that's shaped music for decades, seamlessly blending analog warmth with digital versatility. Perfect for producers, artists, and media composers seeking a distinctive sonic palette, even without guitar expertise. Featuring four classic guitars, two iconic amps, real spring reverb, and extensive FX presets designed by guitarists, the creative possibilities are endless.

The Sound

Desolate Guitars is all about the sound. Picture evocative guitar tones that transport you into the moody landscapes of David Lynch's cinematic worlds or the pulsating indie vibes reminiscent of Arctic Monkeys. It's a love letter to that classic sound: your favorite guitars plugged straight into iconic vintage amps, drenched in spring reverb, and decorated with tremolo.

Desolate Guitars is a journey through time and genres. The rich palette of lonely, cinematic tones is not only distinct but also versatile, ready to infuse your music with the kind of character that makes hit soundtracks and records. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a newcomer to the world of electric guitars, this collection welcomes you to explore an expanse of sonic landscapes that resonate deeply.

The Approach

Desolate Guitars focusses on what truly matters – the sounds and articulations that are not just authentic but also instantly playable and an absolute joy to work with.

We've deliberately retained the character of our recordings. The natural nuances, the character of the amps, and the recording chain are all integral to our approach. It's about embracing those imperfections, which ultimately contribute to the authentic and character-rich sound of Desolate Guitars.

Desolate Guitars utilizes the classic combination of Shure SM57 and Royer Ribbon R-121 microphones, tracked through Shelford Channels by Rupert Neve Designs, and high-end AD conversion.

The Guitars

We don't like to name names, but Desolate Guitars boasts four distinct personalities of guitar that have shaped the music world for decades.

Desolate is the classic solid body icon, delivering twangy perfection.

Chime, a '60s guitar, complete with that unmistakable chime and a floating tremolo system.

Baritone offers a rare twist – it's a '60s classic, covering the full range of a bass guitar, yet maintaining a unique twangy character that's far from the typical bassy sound.

Mellow is the classic semi-hollow beauty, tailored for mellower tones. A less twangy, warmer embrace.

Amps & Reverbs

Behind Desolate Guitars lie sought-after, classic vintage amps, often referred to as the American clean and British chime. These amps, with their carefully selected tubes, are vital to the sound, transforming each note with the authentic charm that defines an era.

As for the spring reverb, it's not your average reverb. We've captured the magic of the classic amp spring – the kind well known for its unique character and depth. Unlike typical modelled or impulse response reverbs that offer static, predictable sound, our approach captures the liveliness of a real spring reverb. We recorded every sample four times, through two amps, each with dry and wet options. The result? An ever-evolving, dynamic reverb that adds depth and character to your music.

Tremolo

Every facet of Desolate Guitars focuses on the authenticity of the sound, right down to the tremolo including two genuine tremolos modelled from the vintage amps used. We painstakingly recreated these tremolos to offer an exact sound faithful to the originals, ensuring that your music carries the spirit of the classics.

We've taken it a step further by adding three extra tremolo styles inspired by popular pedals. It's about giving you a diverse palette of tremolo effects to infuse character into your compositions. In the spirit of modern convenience, we've also included sync-to-host functionality, so you get the best of both worlds: analog heritage and digital convenience for seamless integration into your music production workflow.

Authenticity

Desolate Guitars places a premium on authenticity, playability, and versatility. We've streamlined the user experience - no cumbersome key switches or controllers. The sounds you crave are effortlessly accessible, delivering expressive plucks, lush chords, dynamic swells, harmonics, and mesmerizing feedback.

Articulation options include sustains, mutes, vibrato bar performances, and chord/looped texture patches with major and minor variations. Every preset effortlessly spans both vintage amps, presenting as dry and wet signals giving you full control over amp sound and spring reverb levels, enhancing your creative command. With Desolate Guitars, effortlessly explore a new realm of musical expression.