GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
I Sat by the Ocean Guitar Tone Settings — Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age · 2010s+ · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Echopark Model J
Pickups
Humbucker (exact model unknown, likely custom-wound for Echopark Model J)
Amp
Unknown (likely vintage tube amp, possibly Ampeg V-4 or similar, but not confirmed for this recording)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2013, from the album '...Like Clockwork'. Guitarist is Josh Homme. No direct confirmation of amp model or pedals for the studio recording. Echopark Model J is confirmed as a primary guitar for the album era, but not explicitly for this song in the studio. No pedal or amp settings found for the studio recording.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6.5
Gain6
Reverb3
Treble6.5
Presence6
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Tone Character
- tight and punchy
- mid-forward crunch
- articulate attack
- percussive strumming
- clear note separation
- slightly gritty
- warm lower mids
- dynamic response
- not heavily saturated
- touch of natural amp breakup
Notes & Caveats
- No direct source confirms the amp model or pedal chain for the studio recording of 'I Sat by the Ocean' riff section.
- No numeric amp or pedal settings found; settings estimated based on typical QOTSA studio tones from this era and genre.
- Echopark Model J is confirmed for the album era but not explicitly for this song's studio recording.
- No evidence of specific pedals or effects used in the studio for the riff section; effects inferred from audio and typical QOTSA practices.
- If more specific studio documentation becomes available, settings and effects should be updated.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Josh Homme's tone on 'I Sat by the Ocean' is a mid-forward, crunchy rock sound with tight low end and a touch of ambience. He typically uses medium gain, strong mids, and a balanced EQ, with presence for clarity and subtle reverb for space, matching the song's punchy, articulate riff.