Almost Ready — Dinosaur Jr.1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence

Almost Ready Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Dinosaur Jr.

Dinosaur Jr. · 2000s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Fender Jazzmaster (likely 1963 Sunburst, as used by J Mascis in this era and on this album)
Pickups
Fender Jazzmaster single-coil pickups
Amp
Marshall Super Bass 100 (1968 model, as used in studio and live for this era)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 2007 (Beyond album). J Mascis is known for stacking fuzz/distortion pedals into loud Marshall Super Bass heads for Dinosaur Jr. riff tones. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for this song's riff section. Jazzmaster into Marshall Super Bass is confirmed for this era and style.

Amp Settings

Mids
7
Bass
6
Gain
7.5
Reverb
2
Treble
7
Presence
6.5

Effects Chain

  • Electro-Harmonix Ram's Head Big Muff · fuzz
  • Tone Bender Mk I-clone/Rangemaster-clone combo · fuzz
  • Tube Works Real Tube Overdrive · overdrive
  • Boss RV-5 Digital Reverb · reverb
  • Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress · flanger

Fender Jazzmaster → Tube Works Real Tube Overdrive → Tone Bender Mk I-clone/Rangemaster-clone → Electro-Harmonix Ram's Head Big Muff → Boss RV-5 Digital Reverb → Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress (occasional) → Marshall Super Bass 100 head → Marshall 4x12 cab

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Tone Character

  • massive, saturated fuzz
  • aggressive attack
  • thick midrange
  • pronounced upper-mid bite
  • tight and percussive rhythm
  • sustaining riff tone
  • raw, energetic drive
  • articulate pick attack
  • slightly scooped low-mids
  • Jazzmaster clarity through heavy gain

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct source lists exact amp knob settings for 'Almost Ready' studio recording; values estimated based on typical J Mascis Marshall Super Bass usage and genre/era.
  • ⚠️Pedal order and settings inferred from multiple rig rundowns and interviews, but not confirmed for this specific song's studio session.
  • ⚠️Jazzmaster and Marshall Super Bass are confirmed for this era and style, but no direct photo/video from the 'Almost Ready' session.
  • ⚠️Effects chain is based on most consistent pedalboard reports for 2007 era; some pedals may have varied in studio.
  • ⚠️Reverb is likely from pedal, not amp, as Marshall Super Bass has no built-in reverb.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. J Mascis is known for saturated, fuzzy high-gain tones with strong mids and clarity, using vintage Marshalls or similar amps cranked up; the riff in 'Almost Ready' has a thick, crunchy, mid-forward sound with moderate bass, present treble, and minimal reverb, consistent with his late-2000s production and alternative rock conventions.

Sources