GuitarDistortedRiff60% confidence
Float On Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Modest Mouse
Modest Mouse · 2000s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Wicks Custom Electric Guitar
Pickups
Single-coil pickups (exact model unknown, likely stock Wicks or Fender-style single coils)
Amp
Unknown studio amp (Isaac Brock used whatever was available at Dave Sardy's studio; exact model not specified)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup (likely, for bright, cutting riff tone)
Studio recording for 'Float On' (2004). Isaac Brock stated he used his own guitar (Wicks), but the amp was whatever was available in the studio at producer Dave Sardy's place. No confirmation of specific amp model. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this section.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass5.5
Gain3.5
Reverb3
Treble7
Presence5.5
Effects Chain
- Compressor pedal (model unknown) · compression
Wicks Custom Electric Guitar → Compressor pedal (model unknown) → Studio amp (model unknown, clean settings, spring reverb)
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Tone Character
- mid-forward and punchy
- articulate and clear
- slightly compressed
- bright but not harsh
- tight, controlled low end
- modest sustain
- percussive attack
- clean with slight edge
- no heavy distortion
- clear note separation
Notes & Caveats
- No source provides exact amp model or settings for the studio recording; amp settings estimated based on genre, era, and typical Modest Mouse tones.
- Guitar model confirmed as Wicks via interview, but pickup type/model not specified; inferred as single-coil based on tone and era.
- Amp model is unknown; Isaac Brock stated he used whatever was available in the studio.
- Pedal and effect models are not confirmed for the studio recording; compressor is mentioned, chorus and reverb are suggested by forum users but not confirmed.
- No evidence of delay, tremolo, or other modulation effects in the riff section.
- Settings are estimated based on genre conventions and forum suggestions, not direct from studio notes.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. The 'Float On' riff tone is bright, jangly, and slightly gritty—likely edge-of-breakup with a Fender amp (e.g., Hot Rod DeVille), moderate bass and forward mids, pronounced treble for clarity, and subtle reverb for space, matching early-2000s indie rock production.