GuitarCleanRiff
Black Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
A reconstruction of the riff tone. Gear attributions and estimated settings are explained in the research notes below.
Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1959 reissue, Stone Gossard's main guitar on 'Ten')
Pickups
Gibson PAF-style humbuckers
Amp
Fender Bassman (vintage, likely blackface or silverface, studio recording)
Pickup Position
Neck pickup
Studio recording, 1991. Stone Gossard played the clean riff section on the original studio version. Mike McCready played lead/solo parts. No evidence of live/tour gear or alternate guitars/amps for the clean riff section.
Amp Settings
Suggested starting points on a 0–10 scale, not documented studio knob positions. Match to your gear for controls specific to your setup.
Mids6.5
Bass6
Gain0
Reverb3
Treble6
Presence5
Effects Chain
Guitar → Fender Bassman (with spring reverb)
Tone Matcher
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Tone Character
- warm and round
- slightly compressed
- clear chord articulation
- mellow highs
- full-bodied midrange
- gentle amp breakup at peaks
- dynamic and touch-sensitive
- subtle spring reverb ambience
- no chorus or modulation
- not piercing or brittle
Sources
Tone Story / Why This Tone Works
studio