GuitarDistortedRiff
Born to Be Wild Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Steppenwolf
Steppenwolf · 1960s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1967 Hagstrom H-III
Pickups
Single-coil (Hagstrom H-III stock pickups)
Amp
1967 Fender Twin Reverb (blackface)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1967; Michael Monarch played the riff on a Hagstrom H-III through a Fender Twin Reverb. No evidence of pedals or additional effects in the riff section. All information is for the original studio recording, not live or later performances.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain6
Reverb1.5
Treble7
Presence5.5
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Tone Character
- raw and biting crunch
- bright and cutting
- tight, percussive attack
- slightly compressed
- distinct single-coil clarity
- minimal sustain
- aggressive rhythm
- classic late-60s rock texture
- no audible effects
- focused midrange punch