GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
L.A. Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Elliott Smith
Elliott Smith · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Standard
Pickups
Humbuckers (likely stock Gibson PAF-style)
Amp
Allen Old Flame (Fender Blackface-style amp kit, possibly Accomplice variant)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2003 (Figure 8 era, but 'L.A.' is from XO, 1998). Gear confirmed for 'L.A.' riff section: Les Paul into Allen Old Flame or Accomplice amp. No evidence of pedals used for the riff section. No live/tour gear included.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6
Gain4
Reverb3
Treble6.5
Presence5.5
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Tone Character
- crunchy and dynamic
- mid-forward classic rock voicing
- tight, percussive attack
- clear note separation
- slightly overdriven edge
- warm but present highs
- full-bodied low end
- touch-sensitive response
- no audible modulation or delay
- organic amp breakup
Notes & Caveats
- No specific numeric amp settings found for 'L.A.'; settings estimated based on Allen Old Flame (Fender Blackface-style) amp, era, and genre.
- No evidence of pedals or effects used on the riff section; overdrive is likely amp-based.
- Guitar and amp confirmed for 'L.A.' riff section, but not for solo or other sections.
- Pickup position inferred from typical Les Paul bridge pickup use for crunchy rhythm in this genre and from the tone on the recording.
- Pedalboard and effect mentions in sources refer to other songs or live setups, not this recording.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Elliott Smith's 'L.A.' riff features a clean, slightly driven tone typical of his late-90s/early-2000s recordings, likely using a Fender amp (e.g., Twin or Deluxe Reverb) with moderate mids and bass, restrained treble, and subtle spring reverb. The tone sits at the edge of breakup with warmth and clarity, matching his fingerstyle and indie/alt-rock production.