TonesMatch
20180702 2 — Mac DeMarco1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarCleanRiff80% confidence

20180702 2 Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Mac DeMarco

Mac DeMarco · 2010s+ · other

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Fender Telecaster
Pickups
Single-coil (Fender Telecaster stock pickups)
Amp
Fender Silverface Vibro Champ (1970s)
Pickup Position
Neck pickup

Studio recording, 2012 era for the album '2'. Gear confirmed for this era and album, not live rig. Vibro Champ used for '2' per multiple gear threads. Telecaster seen in studio photos for this period.

Amp Settings

Mids
6
Bass
6
Gain
0
Reverb
5.5
Treble
6.5
Presence
5

Effects Chain

  • Boss CE-2 Chorus · chorus
  • MXR M133 Micro Amp · boost

Fender Telecaster → Boss CE-2 Chorus → MXR M133 Micro Amp → Fender Silverface Vibro Champ (spring reverb on)

Tone Matcher

Match This Tone to Your Gear

Tell us your guitar and amp — we’ll calculate the exact settings translated to your specific rig.

Adapt to MY Gear →

7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.

Tone Character

  • warm and mellow
  • slightly lo-fi and tape-warped
  • bright and jangly
  • subtle chorus shimmer
  • reverb-laden and dreamy
  • clean with soft compression
  • articulate but not harsh
  • relaxed and open
  • touch-sensitive
  • slightly modulated

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️Gain adjusted to 0 for clean tone
  • ⚠️No direct source for exact amp knob settings; values estimated based on typical Fender Vibro Champ settings for Mac's clean, reverb-heavy tone.
  • ⚠️Pedal use is inferred from era-correct pedalboard and audible effects; no direct studio photo for this specific song.
  • ⚠️Pickup choice inferred from tone and typical Mac DeMarco riff approach; Telecaster neck pickup is most likely.
  • ⚠️Presence control is estimated; Vibro Champ does not have a dedicated presence knob, so value is inferred from overall EQ balance.
  • ⚠️No evidence of effects loop use; assumed not used.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Mac DeMarco's riff tones from this era are clean but warm, with a touch of breakup and a roomy, vintage character. He typically uses moderate bass and mids for fullness, restrained treble to avoid harshness, and a lush spring reverb for his signature dreamy vibe.

Sources