Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs · Sugar Shack, 1963
Sugar Shack
7 sourced items across 6 sectionsReported3Inferred4
What the sources do and do not say
Single Mix Classic Tracks article (Ron Skinner, originally June 2011 issue) read in full. Most gear is the Clovis studio's general set-up around the time rather than tied to this song; only the Danelectro overdub, Solovox and Ampex four-track are song-specific. The article spells the vocal microphone "Telefunkin U47" and names no preamp or mix settings.
Lead vocal
1 item
Jimmy Gilmer
Microphone
The real chain
Telefunken U47
InferredUsual practice
Usual practice, not stated for this record: Microphone the article says was used for vocals in Norman Petty's Clovis studio at this period.
A suggestion, not a documented fact: The source describes this as usual practice; it is not stated for this record.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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No plugin suggested. Microphone-modelling plugins only work with their own matched hardware microphone, so there is no plugin to link. Placement and the room matter more than the model.
Guitars
2 items
George Tomsco
Instrument
The real chain
Danelectro Baritone electric guitar (model not stated)
Reported
Tomsco's recently bought baritone guitar, overdubbed on track 3 of the four-track tape.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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No plugin suggested. A guitar is the source of the sound, not a process applied to it. No plugin stands in for it.
Microphone
The real chain
Electro-Voice 630
InferredUsual practice
Usual practice, not stated for this record: Described as the studio's preferred microphone for electric guitar at this period.
A suggestion, not a documented fact: The source describes this as usual practice; it is not stated for this record.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
Get the sound · our suggestion
No plugin suggested. Microphone-modelling plugins only work with their own matched hardware microphone, so there is no plugin to link. Placement and the room matter more than the model.
Bass
1 item
Microphone
The real chain
RCA 77B
InferredUsual practice
Microphone the article says was most likely used on bass in the studio's usual set-up. (recalled with uncertainty)
A suggestion, not a documented fact: The source describes this as usual practice; it is not stated for this record.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
Get the sound · our suggestion
No plugin suggested. Microphone-modelling plugins only work with their own matched hardware microphone, so there is no plugin to link. Placement and the room matter more than the model.
Drums
1 item
Microphone
The real chain
Altec M11
InferredUsual practice
Placed over the top of the drum kit in the studio's usual set-up.
- Position
- over the top of the kit
A suggestion, not a documented fact: The source describes this as usual practice; it is not stated for this record.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
Get the sound · our suggestion
No plugin suggested. Microphone-modelling plugins only work with their own matched hardware microphone, so there is no plugin to link. Placement and the room matter more than the model.
Solovox melody
1 item
Norman Petty
Instrument
The real chain
Hammond Solovox
Reported
Provided the record's signature sound and melody; how it was recorded is unknown to Tomsco.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Cherry Audio Novachord + Solovox
instrument
Cherry Audio's instrument models the Hammond Solovox alongside its parent, the Novachord.
Recording medium
1 item
Input chain
The real chain
Ampex 4-track recorder (model not stated)
Reported
Tape machine the Sugar Shack session was recorded on.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Approximate
Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines
tape
Models two Studer machines, not this recorder. It gives the general behaviour of analogue multitrack tape.
Also worth a look 1
- Universal Audio Studer A800 Tape Recorder (Models a Studer A800, not this recorder. It gives the general behaviour of analogue multitrack tape)
Sources
- Classic Tracks: The Fireballs "Sugar Shack", Mix, 2025-04-18. Accessed 15 Nov 2026.
What the ratings mean
Stated by the engineer, producer or artist, or by the manufacturer.
Stated by a reputable secondary source.
An educated suggestion, not a documented fact.
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