GuitarCleanRiff
22 Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift · 2010s+ · pop
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Taylor Taylor Swift Signature Baby Acoustic Guitar
Pickups
Piezo under-saddle pickup (Taylor ES-B or similar, as per Baby Taylor electronics)
Amp
Direct Input (DI) or possible studio acoustic preamp (no evidence of electric amp used on studio recording)
Pickup Position
Piezo pickup (only option on Baby Taylor acoustic-electric)
Studio recording, 2012 (Red album). All available evidence and listening confirms the main riff is played on a bright, percussive acoustic guitar, not electric. No evidence of electric guitar or amp for the riff section. No pedalboard or amp chain documented for the studio version. Live versions sometimes use electric, but not on the original studio riff.
Amp Settings
Mids6
Bass5
Gain0
Reverb3
Treble7
Presence6
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Tone Character
- bright and percussive
- articulate attack
- tight palm-muted strumming
- minimal sustain
- clear and present mids
- slightly scooped low end
- crisp high end
- dynamic and rhythmic
- studio-polished clarity
- subtle room/plate reverb