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Fever — The Black Keys1 / 2
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Fever Riff Guitar Tone Settings — The Black Keys

The Black Keys · 2010s+ · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
1960s Harmony H78 semi-hollowbody
Pickups
DeArmond Gold Foil single-coil pickups
Amp
Danelectro Commando
Pickup Position
Neck pickup (DeArmond Gold Foil)

Studio recording, 2013-2014 for 'Turn Blue' album. Dan Auerbach is seen using the Harmony H78 for 'Fever' live and in studio-era photos. Amp confirmed as Danelectro Commando for this era and song. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the main riff section.

Amp Settings

Mids
7
Bass
6
Gain
5.5
Reverb
2
Treble
6.5
Presence
6

Effects Chain

  • Maestro MFZ-1 Fuzz · fuzz

Harmony H78 → Maestro MFZ-1 Fuzz → Danelectro Commando (with light spring reverb)

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Tone Character

  • gritty and buzzy
  • mid-heavy crunch
  • semi-hollowbody resonance
  • raw and organic
  • slightly compressed
  • touch-sensitive
  • thick and saturated
  • vintage fuzz character
  • not overly bright
  • garage rock edge

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct numeric amp settings found; values estimated based on typical Danelectro Commando and garage rock tones from this era.
  • ⚠️No explicit pedalboard photo or studio log for 'Fever' riff section; fuzz pedal inferred from Auerbach's known use and audible fuzz in the recording.
  • ⚠️No evidence of time-based or modulation effects in the riff section; only fuzz/distortion is clearly audible.
  • ⚠️Pickup selector inferred from typical Auerbach usage and tone analysis.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Dan Auerbach’s tone on 'Fever' is crunchy but not heavily saturated, with a mid-forward, vintage-inspired voicing typical of his style and gear (often vintage amps like Fender or Vox). The riff is punchy and dry, with moderate bass and treble, slightly boosted mids, and minimal reverb, matching both the production era and the Black Keys’ garage rock aesthetic.

Sources