Sound Like The Black Keys | Without Busting The Bank

[@b_l_a_n_q]

This tone is so spot-on it kind of blew me away... and Dan Aurbach is actually my cousin. I can't believe you were able to pull that sound off with such a budget. Amazing work, guys! This is my favorite video in this series thus-far!

[@brianwilkey5691]

Are you from Akron, too? I grew up in that same area.

[@b_l_a_n_q]

@@brianwilkey5691 you betcha! Enjoying quarantine with my cats in Goodyear Heights as we speak 😷☕🐈

[@brianwilkey5691]

My family moved away when I was in High School but I still have friends and extended family all over the area. If you know where Kenmore Blvd is, and where Carrie Ave splits off from it, my aunt and uncle still live where Carrie Ave dead ends. I should get back for a visit.

[@b_l_a_n_q]

@@brianwilkey5691 find me on Instagram when you do! 🎸

[@brianwilkey5691]

Sorry, I don't have Instagram. I've pretty much just stuck to facebook and youtube.

[@akillersandwich8360]

damn I love the black keys...

[@wiggledixbubsy98]

aKillerSandwich quite disappointed they went for the tones of the new stuff. If they went for the tones of the Thickfreakness and Rubber Factory days, this'd be my favorite video of theirs.

[@Mac10Demarco]

Honestly they should’ve played the riffs off of Magic Potion

[@CaptAnderton]

Sounds flipping great!!!!!

[@justincase5332]

+CaptAnderton whats that guitar rabea picks up at 3:06?

[@WhoWouldWantThisName]

Yeah, I want to know too.

[@Aaron-nz3uy]

I believe that is the Yamaha Revstar

[@johnlaycock9974]

Aaron you are right.

[@revengeofthebrick9890]

Sound like Tame Impala

[@snapdrummer07]

YES

[@Mindartcreativity]

+Marcus Howell /watch?v=g2SMr65qpfI it's a sound like tame impala by 'Livingroom Gear demos'. I don't know how accurate it is but the guy from that channel is a good player and has a lot of quality pedal demos :)

[@gregoirechapelle6494]

+Marcus Howell YES YES YES YES

[@hammondsphoto]

+Marcus Howell SOUND LIKE CARDIACS.

[@yarbgreat1]

+Marcus Howell "I've heard those words before. Are you sure, it was nothing? Cause it made me feel like dying". Love/Paranoia

[@Born2007]

Very much enjoying the "new"/(return to the old) format where the selection of equipment is a surprise/journey instead of it being revealed at the beginning.

[@ellleigh1216]

I seem to be saying this every time, but this is probably the best episode of Sounds Like so far. Loving the longer video, great to see the considerations and thought processes you're going through, during the store look around. Also great to see the in depth review of all the gear, when back in the recording room and generally great to see a more intimate, in depth episode. The series has come leaps and bounds from where it started and I think this is the quality to aim for, in every Sounds Like in the future. :)

[@eddiefalbo2299]

Sound like lil Wayne

[@angelite143]

+Awesomeness1597 his guitar solo is perfect

[@rocknrollcowboy1620]

lol

[@robertoguzman7682]

They should totally do this!!

[@Mamutkailiai]

:D

[@natedavid3873]

+Awesomeness1597 stevie T has got you covered!

[@tMatt5M]

The first 5 black keys albums is some of the best rock and roll of all time.

[@matiasishere1487]

Check out the new one. It’s tight

[@matiasishere1487]

Totally agree tho. Big come up changed my perspective on music

[@kete3690]

100% agree.

[@eckharteric]

sound like muse

[@MegaBisba]

Yes!

[@UlrimatestrategyHD]

Please do this one!

[@ShawnPierson]

I don't know if this is possible, but I would love to see them try.

[@src248]

+random_guitarist He almost never uses it, definitely not required

[@RafeSanger]

+Eric Eckhart GUITAR AND BASS!!

[@littlewing90]

Guys, really well done on this one. I watch all of these videos each time you do a new sounds like, you really nailed this one! Not any easy one to do either! Great guitar by the way, I'vr proper fallen in love with that Schekter!

[@darthesgoobis123]

Sound like Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

[@EricAndrewDodson]

Jack Seconded. Big time!

[@clintfuhs7574]

yes

[@JuniaThePriest]

Hell yes!!!

[@KeeperOfPoops]

i thought that said Black Label Society for a moment now i'm upset :(

[@omarhaggag2232]

You guys are so awesome! And this "Sound like" series is so helpful. Rock on!

[@jamiemacmillan4056]

I'd also like to add all of your videos should be made like this because if this isn't what everyone wanted I don't know what people do want

[@matttiernan3465]

Best Sounds Like video yet! This one actually seemed like a challenge. Also, thanks very much for blurring the intro and not giving everything away at the start. Nice change. Keep it up!

[@igorsekulic6945]

If you guys find a couple guitars and you can't totally decide, I think you show all the options that are in the price range so that there's more to help decide which rig might sound the best :)

[@piratewhoisquiet]

+Igor Sekulic YES. THIS.

[@hadin101]

If anybody wants a simpler way to do the pitch shifting I believe he uses a super shifter from boss. It has a setting where it doesnt latch so if you hold down on the pedal itself it goes down an octave and when you let go it returns to pitch. That way you dont have two pedals on your board. It discontinued in stores but you can probably find one second hand. You guys did a really amazing job with this one by the way.

[@lfkw2484]

Sound like Wolfmother!

[@awfurby]

I think you did a great job with this one - really good choices of pedals and guitar.

[@nielssloot1217]

Id like to you guys do a "sound like Free" (Paul Kossoff)

[@Actionmen1234]

just a plexi on 10 and a nice les Paul and your done ;) would be a 1 min Video and another dsl40c

[@tanglewood616]

This is fantastic! I'm just getting into pedals after playing 10 years and it's made everything new and exciting again. Very educational, thanks guys

[@GitShiddy]

Man you could feel the struggle on this one. But you guys did a stellar job, especially considering how far out of your comfort zone you were.

[@JordzDazza]

Awesome job guys. A really fun video and excellent quality. And I loved the extended run around the store looking at gear

[@slorr55]

Sound like Soundgarden, that would be interesting

[@merunkovykefir9578]

U fuckin called that... just joking

[@KyleBrown-ce7ms]

One of the best, spot on I've heard!!!! Love hearing you guys do this. I would love the zz top by busting pleeeeeeease.

[@ryleyschade9869]

sound like Johnny Marr

[@madnessmedia1]

yes

[@joshjohnson9097]

Yes!

[@ModestEgg]

+Ryley Schade Fender Jag, Roland Jazz Chorus, compressor

[@guitar19971]

+ModestEgg I just want to see Rabea playing This Charming Man

[@Booboosbirthday]

+Ryley Schade Definitely! Especially Sound Like The Smiths.

[@BristanKeller]

A lot of my tone is inspired by the black keys and I love using the ZVEX Mastotron to accomplish a lot of their covers. There’s something about it that gives it a nice fuzz and sounds excellent along with a Whammy, almost a subtle 8 bit sound.

[@ARSmusic_]

I think you guys did a great job with this one! Always some crazy tones from The Black Keys hahaha... Could you do a sound like The 1975?? That'd be sweet.

[@DropDeadFredo]

Once I saw that Tsh 1, I got so stoked. I've been wanting to own the model with the Bigsby tremolo and this just makes me want it more.

[@EoPatrux]

Something simple: Sound Like Rise Against

[@ChainsawChristmas]

you guys nailed the tone on this one. best episode as far as tone matching is concerned.

[@KeeperOfPoops]

only problem was the pitch shift was WAY off!!! the EHX Pitchfork SUCKS!!! it looks more like a wah pedal so it's a bit off kill, the Boss PS5 or PS6 would've been better and if i remember correctly there was 4 Whammy DT's at the warehouse during the time of filming (i checked the website when they made the episode)

[@aliidris657]

*THEY WANNA GET MY*

[@eliotduerr4835]

Ali Idris GOLD, ON THE CEILING. I CAN’T LIE, JUST A MATTER OF TIME, ‘FORE THEY STEAL IT

[@Yeastlord]

Anus

[@davidpfeifer9489]

Motionsicknes999 #metoo

[@oar5926]

Tone

[@TVicc]

...girl, when she's sleeping 🎵

[@jamesschlesinger9852]

Great job! As a long time fan of both the Keys (and ya'll), I think you guys nailed it. Although i would add, that was certainly his newer sound, the older records/sound are a bit different, but very enjoyable and educational to watch. I think i need to buy some pedals.

[@ktulu193]

I like that you blurred the intro riff, the old way was a bit of a spoiler sometimes ;) Cheers!

[@RabeaMassaad]

+ktulu193 Glad you like it! thanks for watching!

[@fix6661]

Yes, indeed! Thanks, guys!

[@mattvgyo]

Love it guys, you really nailed some black keys tones! These videos are great. I appreciate that you guys have a budget and try to show that people can get close to a particular artist's sound without needing a small fortune for vintage gear. There will always be haters who say you played a part wrong, or should have used some other guitar/amp/pedal... but keep doing what you're doing! And while you're at it, please do Smashing Pumpkins or Weezer soon!

[@cliffyg3]

Yeah keep it up guys. Not all of us are rich. Some run beheringer and can use these vids to see where we should upgrade first.

[@stefanomartinelli4163]

would be good to get an overhead shot of the pedals to see what they are set too!

[@scottsoltani3203]

Love you guys and your store, I'm over in the states. I would love to check out your store, your guys seem very helpful for nailing the right tone! Excellent job

[@rocknrollcowboy1620]

This is a long shot, but id love to see you guys do Sevendust!

[@AnyTechReviews]

Yes.

[@JasonCaldwellBufferkiller]

+Wallace Moss I concur!

[@notarealperson87]

+Wallace Moss ooh, thats an awesome idea. big Sevendust fan myself, and they definitely stray from the usual sounds

[@rocknrollcowboy1620]

+notarealperson87 Yea man it would be good & interesting. Glad to see there are still big Sevendust fans out there!

[@uplinkdown5723]

Best. Suggestion. Ever.

[@matiasishere1487]

Prob my favorite guitarist. He uses a lot of varied sounds and I love dissecting that as I listen many times. And to duplicate his early stuff I had to get vintage big muff oil and it’s worth it. Great job fellas!

[@matiasishere1487]

Big muff Pi. Autocorrect fail 😃 y’all know

[@Shabboi]

Sounds like Electric Wizard? You can't say it wouldn't be interesting, at least.

[@konstantinosernestoeconomo3265]

YES PLEASE !!!

[@chrisjacob1446]

@@konstantinosernestoeconomo3265 Epi G-400 in B standard with an OG boss hyper fuzz and a wah into a cranked JCM800.

[@harrisonvos5069]

Rabea if you're reading this, and you may know by now, the "small pole pieces" on Dearmond dynasonic style pickups are just screws to adjust the height of the regularly spaces ones. Many old Gretsches had these pickups before filtertrons were invented. Just FYI! Rock on!!

[@jighead81]

If I raise the budget to $5,000 USD, can I sound like lil' Wayne? You guys nailed the black keys stuff, loved it!

[@bengalvin9932]

love the longer walk round the shop!

[@owenhu9465]

sound like the smashing pumpkins!

[@Allekrym]

please!

[@MatchBookNotes]

i bet you they would use a marshall dsl40c, bigmuff w/tonewicker, a reverb and a squier strat with single coil humbuckers if doing billy corgan and even less for the other guy

[@owenhu9465]

MatchBookNotes theres no point doing james hahaha, billy corgan has the smashing pumpkins signature bigmuff sound

[@Jacksabbath44]

+Owen Hu that way they could do both james iha and billy corgan, but corgan by himself has a couple more stuff to cover, Zwan and his solo stuff

[@TheZooropaBaby]

+Owen Hu technically Billy doesn't use Big Muff anymore in current setup; his high gain sound is achieved thru amps not thru pedals.

[@Krebsmonkey]

Best sounds like yet. Looked like you both really enjoyed this one!!

[@ROONTANG]

The amount of times I've heard "Lonely Boy" in advertisements. For cars, banks, insurance, practically anything under the sun that is marketable... Holy shit I'm sick of hearing it!

[@ianthesquid]

Hey guys, loving this series - it's inspiring me to come spend money in the shop when I return to the UK next month! Some artists I'd like to see you cover: Steve Morse, Billy Gibbons, Brian May & Lindsey Buckingham

[@david102898]

Sound like chon

[@Floral_Green]

YESSSS.

[@TheDoomedUser]

Hell yeah!! Vox Ac30 and an Ibanez RG

[@HadesWTF]

Ibanez holobody bass and chicken dancing.

[@Rishabhgreenday]

fender supersonic,Ibanez Rg and skill

[@Diax1324]

I just thought of something that would be a crazy cool addition to guitar shops: A pedalboard with some basic pedals sitting atop the amp racks, and double of all the cables. Admittedly, it'd be pretty high end, but just a tube screamer and a wah could really teach you about the amp you're using. I've literally brought half my pedalboard into a guitar shop just because I was being really picky. Felt like a knob but it led me to my vox AC-15, IMO one of the best tube amps out there.

[@jonagara3434]

Sound like The Strokes, please.

[@estebanpalacios4476]

the way you guys blend marketing and entertainment is flawless

[@SRartz25]

sound like Kevin Parker of tame impala

[@lyconxero457]

Wow...you absolutely NAILED that tone. Good lord!

[@ThisisBrownfield]

Sound like The strokes

[@evetsiksatu]

the fact that you admit to not being huge Auebach fans and then proceed to nail his tone makes this video all the more impressive... and then and the end saying you kinda became fans... respect!

[@MoPower2112]

Sound Like Rush!

[@greggoso600]

yeeeeaaaaaa SOUND LIKE RUSH

[@00samee00]

TBF Alex Lifeson's tone is pretty straightforward as far as I'm aware

[@greggoso600]

+Som ProfecyMan mmm maybe youre thinkin about 2112/the First albums but try listen power windows for example, mean there are 40 years of discography to listen to

[@MoPower2112]

+giallo pallo His hemispheres tone is pretty great too!

[@99jacobw]

HELL YEAH!!

[@tdrake59]

My favorite review in the series. Loved the creative choices and great results.

[@devon3402]

Could you guys please do sound like Tame Impala?

[@marksoden6812]

I liked that edition of Without Busting the Bank. We got to see some guitars that weren't run of the mill. I particularly was curious about the epiphone blueshawk. I would like to check out one of those. Thanks again for doing the Black Keys episode!

[@SuperChargedDogs]

You should do a bass episode for Primus

[@conky7819]

That would be awesome, but Claypool used a LOT of high end gear, I'd imagine it would be a huge challenge.

[@SuperChargedDogs]

Conky So it would be even more impressive if they pull it off :P

[@conky7819]

+SuperChargedDogs Yeah, I wonder if they would go for a standard 4 string or a 6 string...

[@goofus1589]

+SuperChargedDogs Les's bass sound is hard to nail without a 6 string, fretless, active bass that has a pickup in the bridge position, but i can damn well try to get something close! The Sterling by Musicman Ray34CA fretless is your best bet as far as basses go, although you're sacrificing a fifth and sixth string. Speaking of strings, Claypool used Dean Markley Blue Steels, with .85 on both bass side strings, and .45 on the treble side strings. He uses this because it's easier to tap and play chords on, which gave him an interesting bass sound in the long run. Amps aren't all too hard, just boosted mids with bass and treble cut aggresively. Mesa should be considered, cause les used them extensively. Something like a walkabout scout combo. It can get crazy loud, so it's gigabble and it's also lightweight. Les uses a lot of effects, but among the important ones are overdrives and phasers. A boss odb-3 can do the od well, and the mxr phase 90 can do a good job as a phaser. I by no means am a master of bass tone but i think this should get an alright Primus sound.

[@YouCanCallMeXoe]

Another problem with getting the closest thing to Les' sound also depends on the song, as his Carl Thompsons are known for having Kahlers on them, so unless an inexpensive bass with a kahler exists or you're not a purist, some songs are just a no-go.

[@SunnyvilleMusic]

Wow! Well done guys, the sound you've managed is really really amazing!! Love it!

[@Balance3rd]

Do Black Sabbath

[@VladyslavHrinko]

This one was my favorite tone you got so far! Amazing! Congrats on that! Amazing show as well Do some ZZ Top sound like!

[@ciaranbones1990]

Sound like Karnivool? Im sure Bea would be up for that one

[@erickmo1188]

Nailed it pretty damn close. I've had a Vox AC15C1. Thought it was brittle in the highs and muddy in the lows... y'all could have swapped that Vox for a blues jr and the ehx mini muff pi for the ehx big muff germanium for a bit tighter bottom end and a overall a tiny bit closer. Plus extra gain choices. But overall I'm very impressed with how that all came together.

[@CatastrophicalPencil]

Sound like Jimi Hendrix. Will love you long time.

[@LandingNow]

already done

[@CatastrophicalPencil]

can you link me to it? I can't find it.

[@battyboyzzz]

Top video, lads. You nailed it! Thanks for this video!

[@chrisjjespersen]

Can you guys do a libertines video

[@OzziePete1]

The pickups in the guitar are DeArmond Dynasonic replicas. They were on Gretsch guitars before the FIltertron was made & many other brands. I think they were on Silvertone guitars of old, the type that Dan of Black Keys would get. Also having the guitar a semi acoustic, and a trapeze tailpiece with those pickups sets you up well.

[@kortufflpaua]

B.R.M.C. Anyone?

[@offdutyjie]

Good Job! I'm a huge Black Keys fan (more so their older stuff) and you guys did phenominal- their gear is highly hard to obtain and really get a hold of/ understand and use lol. Especially Dan's fuzz sound lol. But yea man, you guys gave me a lot of good ideas on different angles to go at and what to really look for and aim for. Thanks for the ideas and keep doing what you do mates!Also, you should do Smashing Pumpkins!

[@TulsiLeigh]

Sound Like Tame Impala/Foals

[@wingracer1614]

I agree, I think you guys really nailed this one.

[@skobedigatch207]

sound like Black sabbath !

[@jonnorris419]

great job fellas, love the black keys, wasnt expecting the ac15 :)

[@cliffyg3]

Me neither. Would have missed that.

[@cameronsheppard5584]

If you want a challenge, sound like Tame Impala!

[@Johnlemmo451]

7:56 - Lonely Boy 10:23 - Tighten Up 15:22 - Gold on the Ceiling

[@KissingMaiden]

Do a sound like RUSH with Nathan so you can cover both guitar and bass

[@nathanfussell1482]

but I don't play bass :/

[@mattdavis855]

This is such a great sounds like because instead of just using obvious gear you can tell you guys had to try to be creative and build the sounds from the ground up. And also Matt Knight.

[@brainstorm90]

Souns like The Smiths (or just Johnny Marr)

[@patmurphy7266]

legit thank you so much for creating this 🎉 please any and all bands and genres!

[@danibaal98]

Plsss make sound like Metallica or every thrash metal band!!!

[@jordanmew3984]

I met Rabea and Matt while they were filming this. Both very cool. In fact Bea help me buy an amp - a Victory VX Kraken!

[@leomanl]

I'm surprised you didn't go for the PS-6 for the pitch shifting, since Dan uses the PS-5 I'm sure, would have been cheaper and more accurate tone

[@KeeperOfPoops]

i agree, the EHX Pitchfork sucks balls! it looks more like a wah pedal so it's a bit off kill and if i remember correctly there was 4 Whammy DT's at the warehouse at that moment in time (i checked the website during the time of filming and i'm certain they had 4 Whammy DT's at the warehouse)

[@Iggytommy]

I reckon either the EHX Germanium OD or the EQD Crimson Drive would be a good choice for this purpose. Plus a nice fuzz pedal.

[@pietero10]

Sound like Royal Blood

[@brunosilviomartins]

Awesome, you guys killed it! I'm a big gear freak myself, and also i dig a lot of The Black Keys stuff and I was sold! I think Dan would really enjoy this video! I'm now binging on your videos! It's a very cool concept you guys came up with! Ever considered doing David Gilmour's tone? Cheers!

[@brunosilviomartins]

Yeah, I just saw that you already did the David Gilmour one!

[@rodneyharris1879]

Should have used a Boss Harmonist PS-6 instead of the pitch fork. S-bend would do it perfectly

[@KeeperOfPoops]

i agree! besides, the Pitchfork sucks cos it looks more like a wah pedal which makes it look a bit off kill, if they had whammies in store at that time i'd been better

[@widowmaker5544]

there was 4 whammy DT's at the warehouse, i checked at the time they filmed it and they did have 4 Whammy DT's in stock at the warehouse

[@sebaileyus8043]

really enjoying that they seem to be changing the clock time between shots

[@TeardropTrashcan]

Sound like Nirvana, Johnny Marr, Smashing Pumpkins

[@IHendricks27]

Awesome! I've always wondered how they get that sound. Crushed it! 😎👍🏻

[@Tychades]

Still waiting for a Sound like Extreme. I'm sure Rabea would be happy to do it

[@mikeflanders1292]

Sounds awesome. You guys nailed the tone. Nicely done

[@ukiluser]

Sound like Pearl Jam

[@stuartbegley2085]

Good sounds like. Preferred the thickfreakness sound in terms of album sounds. His sound has developed a lot since then though. Well done again guys!!

[@DerRockSchopp]

Sound like Ian D'Sa (Billy Talent)

[@19markz67]

I love the Black Keys. I know it is not your thing, but I think you took the challege seriously and did a great job. Well done.

[@TheFathead95]

What is the guitar at 3:03 ?

[@andertons]

+Adam O'Sullivan They are the new Yamaha Revstars new.andertons.co.uk/search?q=yamaha%20revstar

[@TheFathead95]

+Andertons Music Co Thanks Dudes, ill check em out now.

[@jwardbass4452]

lol, why does the link lead to a search for "not nothing"?

[@EclipseGamingTV]

Nailed it guys! Really challenging one this time out but you did a top job with it

[@FlyingEddies]

Sounds like Van Halen please!!!!

[@timothyritchie5290]

wow really good one. I liked that this was a bit difficult and so we got to hear more of your thoughts about how to find the sounds and substitutes/alternatives. As someone who plays in covers bands this is useful as trying to find a range of sounds with limited gear. more broadly helpful than the this guitar this amp is THE sound as often will have the amp or set of pedals and maybe a case of a small 1 small purchase to get a sound or advice on using what I have. thanks guys love these vids.