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Freaking Out the Neighborhood Guitar Tone Settings — Mac DeMarco
Mac DeMarco · 2010s+ · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender Mustang (likely Japanese, 1970s, as used on '2' album sessions)
Pickups
Single-coil (Fender Mustang stock pickups, likely Japanese reissue)
Amp
Fender Vibro Champ (silverface, 1970s, used in studio for '2')
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup (Fender Mustang, single-coil)
Studio recording, 2012 ('2' album). Guitar is Mac's main Mustang, not a Strat or SG for this track. Amp is confirmed as Fender Vibro Champ, with Alesis Microverb 4 rack unit for effects. Solo features prominent flanger effect from Microverb. No evidence of other pedals in the solo section.
Amp Settings
Mids6
Bass5.5
Gain4
Reverb3.5
Treble7
Presence5
Effects Chain
- Alesis Microverb 4 (Preset 44: Flanger) · flanger
Fender Mustang → Alesis Microverb 4 (Flanger, Preset 44) → Fender Vibro Champ (spring reverb ~4)
Tone Matcher
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Tone Character
- jangly and glassy
- bright and sparkling
- swirling, modulated texture
- clean, uncompressed attack
- dynamic and touch-sensitive
- slightly scooped mids
- stereo movement from flanger
- no audible overdrive
- studio tape warmth
- distinct single-coil clarity
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings found; values estimated based on typical Vibro Champ settings for clean/modulated tones and genre/era.
- Guitar model inferred from multiple sources referencing Mac's Mustang as primary studio guitar for '2' album.
- Flanger effect confirmed as Alesis Microverb 4 (Preset 44), but exact knob settings for the effect are not published.
- No evidence of additional pedals or effects (overdrive, delay, chorus, etc.) in the solo section.
- Pickup position inferred from tone and typical Mustang usage; not explicitly stated in sources.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Mac DeMarco's solo tone on 'Freaking Out the Neighborhood' is bright, jangly, and just past clean—likely edge-of-breakup with a solid midrange and pronounced treble, using a Fender-style amp with moderate reverb. These settings reflect his typical gear and the production style of the era.