The guitar plays a central
role in Soukous, and a number of the main players have garnered fanatical followings.
Taking elements of Ghanaian highlife guitar they weave ever
changing melodic lines through the music. The guitar sound is very distinctive and uses
similar methods to achieve the sound.
Using generally a Fender Strat type guitar, the regular
fourth string ( D) is replaced by a string of the same gauge as the first string (E), and
then tuned an octave higher than normal from the D below middle C to the D above middle C.
Then the guitar is played with a very clear tone, with lots of mid, treble and reverb.
