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Bad Moon Rising Guitar Tone Settings
Creedence Clearwater Revival · 1960s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Custom with Bigsby B5
Pickups
Gibson PAF-style humbuckers
Amp
Kustom K200A-4 (solid-state, 2x15" JBL D130 speakers)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1969. John Fogerty played the main riff on a Les Paul Custom tuned down a whole step (D standard) into a Kustom K200A-4 solid-state amp. No evidence of pedals or outboard effects on the riff section; amp was run clean. Vibrolux Reverb was also used on the album but not specifically cited for this track's riff.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass5.5
Gain3
Reverb1
Treble7.5
Presence6
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Tone Character
- bright and jangly
- clean and punchy
- articulate chord definition
- tight, percussive attack
- slight natural compression
- no audible reverb or delay
- distinct single-note clarity
- classic late-60s rock rhythm
- open, ringing chords
- no overdrive or fuzz coloration
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings found in sources; settings estimated based on typical Kustom K200A usage for clean late-60s rock rhythm.
- No evidence of pedals or amp effects used on the riff section; reverb was available on the amp but explicitly stated as not used by Fogerty.
- Vibrolux Reverb amp was used on some CCR tracks but not specifically confirmed for 'Bad Moon Rising' riff.
- Pickup position inferred from typical Les Paul rhythm usage and tone analysis.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. John Fogerty used a clean, bright, and slightly twangy tone typical of late 60s swamp rock, likely with a Fender amp set just at the edge of breakup. The riff is clear and cutting, with pronounced mids and treble, modest bass, and minimal reverb, matching both the era's production and Fogerty's style.