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Complicated — Avril Lavigne1 / 2
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Complicated Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Avril Lavigne

Avril Lavigne · 2000s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Junior Special with Humbuckers
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers (stock on Les Paul Junior Special, likely 490R/498T or similar)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier 100W 3-channel Solo Head
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 2002. Guitar and amp confirmed via Equipboard and music video evidence. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the riff section. No explicit pedal use confirmed for the studio recording; live rigs may differ.

Amp Settings

Mids
6.5
Bass
6.5
Gain
5.5
Reverb
3
Treble
6.5
Presence
6

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Tone Character

  • tight and punchy
  • clear chord definition
  • slightly compressed attack
  • open and present top end
  • full-bodied midrange
  • controlled low end
  • moderate crunch
  • studio-polished
  • no audible modulation
  • pop-punk clarity

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No explicit amp knob settings found in sources; settings estimated based on typical Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier use for early 2000s pop-punk/rock rhythm tones.
  • ⚠️No evidence of pedals or additional effects used in the studio recording for the riff section; no chorus, delay, or modulation audible in the main riff.
  • ⚠️Pickup choice inferred from typical pop-punk rhythm tone and video evidence of bridge pickup use.
  • ⚠️If alternate guitars or amps were used for overdubs, no source confirms this for the riff section.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. The riff in 'Complicated' features a crunchy, mid-forward pop-punk tone typical of early 2000s radio rock, likely using a Marshall or Mesa-style amp with moderate gain, balanced bass and treble, and slightly boosted mids for clarity in the mix. Reverb is subtle, just enough for space, matching the polished but not overly wet production style of the era.

Sources