the answers

While it’s most associated with the pioneering studio work of producer George Martin with The Beatles, it’s the brutal rhythm attack of bands like Metallica that has put double-tracking on many guitarist’s tonal bucket lists. The good news is it can be done live, and here’s how...

01 Yes, an echo box can thicken out your onstage sound, but heed this warning. Using a delay when playing a tight rhythm part can go horribly wrong if your timing goes awry. You also need to make sure you use a short delay setting with a quick repeat. Any more than that and you’ll be in rockabilly territory.

Oh, and get a true bypass delay pedal. Unlike true bypass, buffered delays don’t immediately shut down repeats when you hit the off button. Some people like that but in your case you don’t really want the last thing you played to be audible when you’ve moved onto your next part or hit a quiet sensitive bit in a song.

02 If you have the budget and boot space then by all means get a second amp in your backline. That said, you don’t have to. Any good true bypass delay will thicken up your sound. We like the Tone City Tape Machine, mini footprint delay pedal. This bogey green treasure will part you from a mere £50 but better than that, it combines analogue and digital technology to offer some vintage warmth. That’s something a retro head like you should appreciate.

03 Yep, you’ve been caught sleeping on this one. TC Electronic went to a lot of trouble to put together the Mimiq Doubler, a smart stompbox that makes it sound like up to four guitarists are playing your riffs and rhythm parts. You’ll pick one up for around £110. We especially like the ‘Tightness’ control which can make it sound like you’re playing with someone who’s not quite as good as you!