Hmm, I didn't think of that, I was thinking maybe a muffled conga or something but I dont' know. I have to play the song for something and I'm trying to see if there's some easy answer to it. I've just been playing it on my snare rim.
THanks
it sounds like pretty much the same thing as on the beatles' "blackbird"......it sounds like a close miced leather pad or something like that......something with pretty thick skin at least
I am pretty sure that the sound was made by Bonham tapping on the mic.
At least that's what I have been told by some Zep experts. (I had the same question a few years ago)
Take care,
Kevin
Don't know about the Led Zep tune, but the tapping sound in the Beatles "Blackbird" is, according to the Complete Beatles Recording Sessions book, "a metronome gently ticking away in the background."
Yes, it is a guitar case. (Don't remember where I read it.) Elvis used to do the same thing with his leather covered Martin. Listen to the earlier stuff. "Teddy Bear" is a good example...