Expectation Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Tame Impala
Tame Impala · 2010s+ · rock
studio
Original Recording
Studio recording, 2010 (InnerSpeaker era). Kevin Parker is known to record direct or through amp sims at times, but for the main riff/distorted sections, sources and pedalboard photos indicate use of a Stratocaster into a Vox AC30H2 with a pedalboard including Blues Driver, Small Stone Phaser, Diamond Vibrato, and EHX Holy Grail Reverb. Pedal order and settings are based on multiple pedalboard photos and forum consensus for this song/era.
Amp Settings
Effects Chain
- Boss BD-2 Blues Driver · overdrive
- Electro-Harmonix Small Stone Phaser · phaser
- Diamond Vibrato · vibrato
- MXR Dyna Comp · compression
- Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Reverb · reverb
Fender Stratocaster → MXR Dyna Comp → Boss BD-2 Blues Driver → EHX Small Stone Phaser → Diamond Vibrato → EHX Holy Grail Reverb → Vox AC30H2
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Tone Character
- fuzzy and saturated
- swirling phaser movement
- compressed and punchy
- thick, harmonically rich
- psychedelic and modulated
- pronounced midrange
- spacious reverb
- vibrato shimmer
- cranked overdrive/fuzz
- dense, layered sound
Notes & Caveats
- No direct amp knob settings for 'Expectation' found; amp settings estimated based on typical Vox AC30H2 usage for saturated rock/fuzz tones and era.
- Pedal order and settings inferred from multiple forum posts, pedalboard photos, and audio analysis; exact pedal settings not published for this song.
- Some sources mention possible DI/amp sim use in studio, but for the main riff, the pedal/amp chain is most likely.
- Pickup choice inferred from audio and Kevin Parker's known preferences for neck pickup on riff sections.
- Some forum posts mention Moogerfooger flanger, but phaser (EHX Small Stone) is most consistently cited and clearly audible.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Kevin Parker typically uses edge-of-breakup to light crunch tones with forward mids and a warm, vintage character, likely from a Vox or Fender amp. The 'Expectation' riff is mid-rich, not overly bright, with a touch of amp reverb and moderate presence, matching his psych-rock production style from this era.