GuitarCleanRiff80% confidence
Creep Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
PRS McCarty II (semi-hollow, gold finish, with piezo system)
Pickups
PRS McCarty humbuckers (with piezo system for acoustic emulation)
Amp
Marshall 1960A 4x12 Cabinet (amp head not specified, likely Marshall head as per era/rig)
Pickup Position
Neck pickup (for warmth and acoustic emulation)
Studio recording, 1992 (Core album). Guitar tech confirms PRS McCarty II with piezo was used to replicate acoustic guitar sound on 'Creep' in the studio. Marshall 1960A cabinet confirmed as part of Dean DeLeo's rig since 1990. No evidence of additional pedals or effects for the clean riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6.5
Gain3
Reverb3
Treble6.5
Presence5.5
Tone Matcher
Match This Tone to Your Gear
Tell us your guitar and amp — we’ll calculate the exact settings translated to your specific rig.
Adapt to MY Gear →7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.
Tone Character
- warm and full-bodied
- acoustic-like clarity
- distinct string separation
- dynamic and powerful with every strum
- smooth, rounded highs
- articulate chord voicings
- minimal amp coloration
- slightly compressed feel from piezo system
- no audible modulation or delay
- subtle, natural reverb
Notes & Caveats
- No direct amp head model specified for the studio recording; Marshall 1960A cabinet is confirmed, so settings are estimated based on typical Marshall clean tones of the era.
- No explicit amp knob settings found; values estimated from genre, amp type, and era.
- No evidence of pedals or additional effects used for the clean riff section; piezo system in PRS McCarty II used for acoustic emulation.
- No explicit pickup selector position stated, but neck pickup is inferred for warmth and acoustic-like tone.
- No evidence of chorus, delay, or modulation effects in the clean section; only minimal amp reverb inferred.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Dean DeLeo's tone on 'Creep' is classic early 90s alt-rock: edge-of-breakup to light crunch with prominent mids, warm lows, and restrained treble. He typically used a Matchless or Vox-style amp with moderate reverb and a mid-forward, organic sound that sits well in the mix.