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Interstate Love Song — Stone Temple Pilots1 / 2
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Interstate Love Song Guitar Tone Settings — Stone Temple Pilots

Stone Temple Pilots · 1990s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Fender Telecaster (likely early 90s, single coil pickups)
Pickups
Fender single coil (Telecaster bridge and neck pickups)
Amp
Supro Super 1606 (small vintage combo, 8" speaker)
Pickup Position
Neck pickup (Telecaster), possibly with some blend toward middle position

Studio recording, 1993-1994. Multiple sources (Equipboard, The Gear Page) confirm Dean DeLeo used a Telecaster and a small Supro combo for the clean riff on the original recording. No evidence of live rig (VHT/Demeter/Marshall) being used for this part in the studio. No pedals confirmed for clean section.

Amp Settings

Mids
6.5
Bass
6
Gain
0
Reverb
3
Treble
6.5
Presence
5.5

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Tone Character

  • bright and articulate
  • chimey and clear
  • tight, percussive attack
  • warm, rounded highs
  • dynamic and touch-sensitive
  • slightly compressed
  • no audible distortion
  • studio small combo amp sparkle
  • single coil clarity
  • articulate note separation

Playing Technique

  • 🎸Fret each chord as a collection of voices · difficulty 4/5Check that every note rings before playing at tempo, especially where fingers shift between compact shapes. The clean tone exposes muted inner strings, and those voices are what make the riff sound like STP rather than generic rock chords.
  • 🎸Use small slides to connect positions · difficulty 3/5Maintain light pressure during the movement so the transition is heard without becoming a loud effect. The slide should pull the listener into the next chord while the clean attack keeps the destination precise.
  • 🎸Balance pick attack across the strings · difficulty 3/5Angle the pick slightly and avoid striking the highest string much harder than the middle voices. Even dynamics preserve the riff's warm, polished character and keep the treble from turning brittle.
  • 🎸Let the groove lean without rushing · difficulty 3/5Feel the country-like lift in the accents while keeping the pulse steady against the rhythm section. Over-accenting makes the riff bounce awkwardly; relaxed timing lets the unusual harmony sound conversational.

Sources

Tone Story / Why This Tone Works

  • Style and eraInterstate Love Song comes from STP's 1994 Purple era, when the band widened its grunge foundation with classic-rock warmth and more sophisticated harmony.
  • Guitar identityRobert DeLeo developed the chords and melody; Dean DeLeo's guitar voice turns those rich shapes into an effortless, highly recognizable rock riff.
  • Why the clean riff needs itClear note separation and warm treble reveal the moving chord voices, while light compression keeps the riff connected without hiding touch.
  • Why it worksThe sound makes complex harmony feel immediate: slides and accents remain audible, and the clean edge leaves Scott Weiland's vocal plenty of space.

What Fans Are Saying About This Tone?

From YouTube commentsStone Temple Pilots - Interstate Love SongStone Temple Pilots · 19,545 likes on featured comments

  • Thousands of listeners still nominate it as one of the best songs for a long drive.

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  • The track remains a powerful time capsule for listeners who grew up in the 1990s.

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  • One veteran remembers it as the last radio song they heard before leaving for the Army in 1994.

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  • A recurring fan complaint is simple: the song has never felt long enough.

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  • For many 90s listeners, the opening notes trigger instant nostalgia.

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