Always — blink-1821 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarCleanRiff

Always Riff Guitar Tone Settings — blink-182

blink-182 · 2000s · punk

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Fender Tom DeLonge Signature Stratocaster (2002-2004, Seymour Duncan Invader bridge humbucker, single volume knob, no tone knob)
Pickups
Seymour Duncan SH-8 Invader (bridge humbucker, only pickup wired)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier (studio recording, 2003-2004 era)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording for 'Always' (2003-2004). Tom DeLonge used his signature Strat with only the bridge Invader pickup wired. Clean tone achieved by rolling down the guitar volume and using the amp's clean channel. No evidence of additional pedals for clean tone; modulation effect (flanger or chorus) is clearly audible in the clean riff. Settings estimated based on genre, era, and typical Tom DeLonge clean tones. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this section.

Amp Settings

Mids
6
Bass
6
Gain
0
Reverb
3
Treble
7
Presence
6

Effects Chain

  • Flanger pedal (model unknown) · flanger

Fender Tom DeLonge Stratocaster (bridge Invader) → Flanger pedal (model unknown) → Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier (clean channel, spring reverb)

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Tone Character

  • bright and present
  • modulated clean tone
  • shimmery top end
  • tight and percussive attack
  • slightly compressed
  • clear note separation
  • medium-low gain
  • articulate
  • pop punk clarity
  • subtle amp reverb

Sources