GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Hunger Strike Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Temple of the Dog
Temple of the Dog · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender '62 Reissue Stratocaster
Pickups
Fender single-coil Strat pickups
Amp
Unknown (not specified in sources; likely Fender or Marshall tube amp typical of era, but not confirmed for this recording)
Pickup Position
Position 4 (bridge + middle)
Studio recording, 1990 (album released 1991). Mike McCready used a '62 reissue Stratocaster in position 4 (bridge + middle) for the intro/riff section. No explicit amp or pedal details for the studio recording found in sources.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6.5
Gain5
Reverb3.5
Treble6.5
Presence5.5
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Tone Character
- warm and glassy
- slightly gritty edge-of-breakup
- dynamic and touch-sensitive
- articulate and open
- classic Strat 'quack' in position 4
- not heavily compressed
- clean with subtle breakup
- airy and present
- no heavy distortion or fuzz
- mild amp reverb for space
Notes & Caveats
- No explicit amp model or pedal/effect details for the studio recording of 'Hunger Strike' riff section found in available sources.
- Settings estimated based on typical early '90s grunge/alternative clean/crunch tones with Stratocaster and likely tube amp.
- No evidence of pedals or modulation/time-based effects in the riff section; tone is clean to edge-of-breakup with possible amp reverb.
- If more detailed studio notes or interviews surface, update with exact amp and settings.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Stone Gossard's riff tone on 'Hunger Strike' is classic early 90s Seattle crunch: moderate gain for clarity, strong mids and bass for warmth and punch, and restrained treble/presence to avoid harshness. Subtle reverb matches the album's natural, roomy production.