GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Life of Sin Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Sturgill Simpson
Sturgill Simpson · 2010s+ · country
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Sho-Bud Lloyd Green model pedal steel guitar
Pickups
Sho-Bud single coil pedal steel pickups
Amp
1955 Fender Tweed Deluxe
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup (pedal steel configuration)
Studio recording, 2014. Laur Joamets used the Sho-Bud Lloyd Green pedal steel into a 1955 Fender Tweed Deluxe for the main riff section on the studio recording. The amp was sometimes pushed with an Analog Man King of Tone overdrive. A Strymon Lex rotary simulator and Mad Professor Simble pre-driver were also used on the album, but the main riff is characterized by the Tweed Deluxe and King of Tone. No evidence of live or alternate gear for this section.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass5.5
Gain5
Reverb2.5
Treble6.5
Presence5.5
Effects Chain
- Analog Man King of Tone · overdrive
Sho-Bud Lloyd Green pedal steel → Analog Man King of Tone → 1955 Fender Tweed Deluxe
Tone Matcher
Match This Tone to Your Gear
Tell us your guitar and amp — we’ll calculate the exact settings translated to your specific rig.
Adapt to MY Gear →7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.
Tone Character
- clear and articulate attack
- slightly gritty edge-of-breakup overdrive
- warm, vintage tube amp character
- dynamic response to picking
- bright, twangy top end
- full-bodied midrange
- organic, natural overdrive
- note separation and clarity
- country-tinged pedal steel voicing
- touch-sensitive breakup
Notes & Caveats
- No specific numeric amp settings found in sources; settings estimated based on typical 1955 Fender Tweed Deluxe use in country/roots rock context.
- Pedal steel guitar confirmed for riff section; not a standard electric guitar.
- Analog Man King of Tone and Mad Professor Simble pre-driver mentioned as used on the album, but exact pedal usage per song section is not specified. King of Tone likely used for edge-of-breakup tone on riff.
- No explicit mention of reverb or delay in the riff section; Tweed Deluxe does not have built-in reverb, so any reverb is likely minimal and from studio or pedalboard.
- Strymon Lex rotary and Mad Professor phaser mentioned as used on album, but not specifically tied to riff section of 'Life of Sin'. Not included in effects_used for riff.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Sturgill Simpson's 'Life of Sin' riff features a classic country-rock edge-of-breakup tone, likely from a Fender-style amp with moderate mids and treble, slightly boosted presence for clarity, and subtle spring reverb. The gain is set for breakup when digging in, with balanced EQ to cut through the mix without harshness.