GuitarDistortedRiff72% confidence
Misery Business Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Paramore
Paramore · 2000s · punk
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson 20th Anniversary 1957 Les Paul Custom Black Beauty
Pickups
Gibson PAF-style humbuckers
Amp
Marshall JCM2000 DSL100 (likely, based on era and genre; no direct source for exact amp on this recording)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2007. Taylor York is seen using the Black Beauty Les Paul in live performances of 'Misery Business' from the Riot! era, and this is widely cited as his main guitar for the riff section. No direct studio photo of amp, but Marshall JCM2000 DSL100 is the most commonly cited amp for Paramore's Riot! era distorted tones.
Amp Settings
Mids6
Bass5.5
Gain7.5
Reverb1.5
Treble7
Presence6
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Tone Character
- bright and saturated
- tight palm-muted chugs
- aggressive, punchy rhythm
- articulate attack
- crisp, cutting highs
- full-bodied power chords
- slight midrange emphasis
- percussive, driving feel
- modern pop-punk edge
- controlled low end
Notes & Caveats
- No direct studio documentation of amp or pedal models for the original recording; amp and settings estimated based on era, genre, and typical Paramore gear.
- No explicit pedalboard photo or interview for the studio session; effects inferred from genre conventions and audio.
- Settings are averaged from multiple forum posts referencing Boss Katana and Marshall-style amps for this tone, converted to 0-10 scale.
- No evidence of modulation or time-based effects in the riff section; only amp reverb is likely used.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Paramore's 'Misery Business' riff uses a tight, modern pop-punk tone with high gain but not extreme, balanced mids for punch, slightly scooped bass for clarity, and enough treble/presence to cut through the mix. The production is dry with minimal reverb, matching mid-2000s alt-rock conventions and Josh Farro's typical amp settings (often Mesa/Boogie or Marshall).