GuitarCleanRiff80% confidence
Everlong Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely white, as seen in 1995-1996 live performances and studio photos)
Pickups
Humbuckers (Gibson stock, likely 490R/498T or similar for era)
Amp
Fender Bandmaster Reverb 2-Channel 40-Watt Guitar Amp Head (Silverface, 1970-1975)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1996 (The Colour and the Shape sessions). Clean sections tracked with Bandmaster Reverb head into 4x12 cab, guitar volume rolled back for clean. ProCo RAT used for distortion parts, but NOT for clean riff. No evidence of modulation or time-based pedals on clean riff. No chorus, delay, or reverb pedals confirmed for clean part. Reverb from amp possible but likely minimal.
Amp Settings
Mids5.5
Bass5.5
Gain0
Reverb1.5
Treble6.5
Presence5.5
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- clear and articulate
- bright but not harsh
- dynamic response
- slightly scooped mids
- minimal breakup
- punchy attack
- slight amp reverb (not prominent)
- no audible modulation
- no compression artifacts
Notes & Caveats
- Gain adjusted to 0 for clean tone
- No official studio documentation of exact amp knob settings for clean riff; values estimated based on typical Fender Bandmaster clean settings and forum consensus.
- No evidence of any pedals or effects used on the clean riff section; all effects listed are based on what is audibly present (none except possible light amp reverb).
- Some sources mention other guitars (SG, Marauder, RD Custom), but Les Paul Standard is most consistently cited for this era and clean sections.
- No evidence of chorus, delay, or modulation on the clean riff; if present, it is extremely subtle or absent.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Dave Grohl used a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier for 'Everlong,' set for a saturated but tight hard rock crunch with forward mids and slightly boosted treble/presence for clarity. The tone is dry and punchy with minimal reverb, matching the 90s alt-rock production style.