Little Bones — The Tragically Hip1 / 2
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Little Bones Riff Guitar Tone Settings — The Tragically Hip

The Tragically Hip · 1990s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
1973 Fender Stratocaster (mocha brown, maple neck)
Pickups
Fender single-coil (stock 1973 Strat pickups)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Mark III head into 2x12 cab, possibly blended with 1959 Fender Bassman (studio, Road Apples era)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 1990-1991 (Road Apples sessions). Rob Baker states he used his brown '73 Strat, Mesa/Boogie Mark III, and a Tube Screamer for the album. Lanois' '59 Bassman was also used on every track, possibly blended. No evidence of additional pedals or effects for the riff section. Wah pedal was present on his board but not audibly used in the riff.

Amp Settings

Mids
7
Bass
6
Gain
6
Reverb
2.5
Treble
7
Presence
6

Effects Chain

  • Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer · overdrive

Fender Stratocaster → Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer → Mesa/Boogie Mark III head (spring reverb on) → 2x12 cab (possibly blended with '59 Fender Bassman in studio)

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Tone Character

  • tight and punchy
  • classic rock crunch
  • bright and articulate attack
  • dynamic pick response
  • slight edge of breakup
  • clear note separation
  • full-bodied midrange
  • percussive strumming
  • minimal compression
  • no audible modulation or delay

Sources