GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Hypersonic Missiles Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Sam Fender
Sam Fender · 2010s+ · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender American Professional Jazzmaster
Pickups
Fender V-Mod Single-Coil Jazzmaster pickups
Amp
Fender Twin Reverb
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2019. Gear confirmed via multiple interviews and gear rundowns for the Hypersonic Missiles album. Jazzmaster and Fender Twin are Sam Fender's signature studio setup for this era and song. No evidence of live-specific changes for the riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain5.5
Reverb3.5
Treble7
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Electro-Harmonix Small Clone · chorus
- Compressor pedal (model unknown) · compression
Guitar → Compressor → Electro-Harmonix Small Clone → Fender Twin Reverb (with spring reverb)
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Tone Character
- bright and articulate
- crunchy, driven rhythm
- modulated shimmer from chorus
- tight and focused low end
- dynamic and responsive to picking
- slightly compressed for sustain and bite
- present, jangly top end
- clear note separation
- slightly scooped mids
- subtle amp reverb for space
Notes & Caveats
- No specific amp knob settings for gain, bass, mid, treble, presence, or reverb were found in sources; values estimated based on typical Fender Twin settings for modern indie/rock crunch tones and Sam Fender's described preferences.
- No explicit pickup selector position stated, but bridge pickup is most likely for the riff's bright, cutting tone.
- No evidence of drive/distortion pedal use; crunch is likely from amp pushed to breakup and compression.
- Pedal order inferred from standard practice and interview descriptions.
- No explicit mention of effects loop use; assumed not used as per typical Fender Twin setup.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Sam Fender's 'Hypersonic Missiles' riff features a punchy, British-inspired edge-of-breakup/crunch tone with forward mids, tight but present bass, and enough treble/presence to cut through the mix without harshness. Fender typically uses Fender amps (Hot Rod/Blues Deluxe) or Vox AC30s, both favoring mid-forward, articulate rock tones with subtle reverb for space.