GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
I'll Stick Around Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Custom (Black, 1970s, used by Dave Grohl on Foo Fighters debut album)
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers (likely stock 1970s T-Top humbuckers)
Amp
Marshall JCM800 2203 100W head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1994-1995. Confirmed by Foo Fighters' tech Ernie Bailey and Equipboard for the debut album. Pro Co Turbo RAT pedal used for distortion. No evidence of modulation or time-based pedals on riff section. SLM Electronics 'The Can' amp also mentioned for some tracks, but JCM800 confirmed for main distorted tones. Pickup selector likely on bridge for riff.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6
Gain7
Reverb0.5
Treble7
Presence6.5
Effects Chain
- Pro Co Turbo RAT · distortion
Gibson Les Paul Custom → Pro Co Turbo RAT → Marshall JCM800 2203 → Marshall 4x12 cabinet
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Tone Character
- tight and aggressive
- saturated, fuzzy distortion
- mid-forward crunch
- articulate pick attack
- punchy and percussive
- dry, minimal ambience
- thick, compressed wall of sound
- British-voiced amp character
- bridge pickup bite
- no modulation or time-based effects
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings found; amp settings estimated based on typical Marshall JCM800 usage for 1990s alt-rock with Turbo RAT.
- Guitar model inferred from multiple sources confirming Les Paul Custom for debut album sessions.
- No evidence of modulation, delay, or reverb pedals or amp effects on the riff section; dry, direct tone.
- Pickup selector not explicitly stated, but bridge pickup is standard for this riff's tone.
- SLM Electronics 'The Can' amp was used on some tracks, but JCM800 is confirmed for main distorted tones on 'I'll Stick Around'.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. The riff tone on 'I'll Stick Around' is classic mid-90s alt-rock: crunchy, aggressive, and mid-forward, reflecting Dave Grohl's use of Mesa/Boogie amps with moderate-high gain, balanced EQ, and minimal reverb for a dry, punchy sound that cuts through the mix.