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It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over Guitar Tone Settings — Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Coral Electric Sitar
Pickups
Stock lipstick-style single coil pickups (Coral Sitar)
Amp
Fender Deluxe (black-panel, Dumble-modded, likely studio version)
Pickup Position
Neck pickup (typical for sitar-style clean rhythm, but not explicitly stated)
Studio recording, 1991. Guitar is a Coral Electric Sitar, confirmed for this track. Amp is likely a black-panel Fender Deluxe, possibly Dumble-modded, as per Kravitz's studio preferences for this era. No evidence of pedals or effects used on the riff section; clean, direct amp tone.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6
Gain2.5
Reverb3.5
Treble6.5
Presence5
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Tone Character
- clean and chimey
- bright but not harsh
- percussive attack
- slightly metallic overtone (from sitar bridge)
- warm and rounded lows
- open and airy
- minimal breakup
- articulate chord definition
- subtle natural compression
- no audible pedal coloration
Notes & Caveats
- No specific amp knob settings for this song found; values estimated based on typical Fender Deluxe clean settings for studio use in early 1990s.
- Coral Electric Sitar confirmed as the main guitar for the riff section, but pickup position not explicitly stated; neck pickup inferred as most likely.
- No evidence of pedals or outboard effects used on the riff section; all sources and audio point to a direct, clean amp tone.
- Amp model inferred from Kravitz's own statements about his studio rig for this era; no direct quote for this exact song, but strong circumstantial evidence.
- If alternate sources emerge showing a different amp or pedal chain for the riff, settings may need revision.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Kravitz's riff tone here is clean but warm and punchy, with strong mids and a vintage soul vibe reminiscent of Motown/Stax. Likely a Fender amp (Twin or Deluxe) set just at the edge of breakup, with boosted mids and bass, moderate treble, and subtle spring reverb for space.