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Mr. Brightside Riff Guitar Tone Settings — The Killers
The Killers · 2000s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson ES-355
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers (stock ES-355)
Amp
Fender-style amp (likely Fender Hot Rod DeVille or Twin Reverb, as used in studio era)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2003-2004. Dave Keuning is documented using a Gibson ES-355 for the main riff on the studio recording. Amp is described as 'Fender-style' in lessons and interviews. Settings below are from Guitar World lesson referencing the studio tone.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6.5
Gain6
Reverb4
Treble7.5
Presence5.5
Effects Chain
- Chorus pedal (model unknown) · chorus
- Delay pedal (model unknown) · delay
Guitar → Chorus pedal → Delay pedal → Fender-style amp (with spring reverb)
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Tone Character
- bright and articulate
- chorus shimmer
- tight and percussive
- melodic and orchestral
- cinematic and spacious
- edge-of-breakup overdrive
- clear note separation
- hypnotic, driving rhythm
- modulated clean with grit
- vintage-inspired modern rock
Notes & Caveats
- Exact amp model not specified in sources; 'Fender-style' amp inferred from Guitar World lesson and era.
- Pedal models not specified; chorus and delay are referenced as effects used, but no specific pedal brand/model confirmed.
- Pickup position inferred from typical ES-355 usage for bright, cutting riff and genre conventions.
- Settings are from Guitar World lesson, which references the studio tone but may not be exact to the original session.
- Presence setting estimated (not specified in sources) based on typical Fender amp voicing for this genre/era.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. The 'Mr. Brightside' riff uses a Vox AC30 with single coils, producing a bright, jangly, mid-forward crunch typical of early 2000s indie rock. The tone is cutting and articulate, with moderate gain, high mids and treble, and subtle reverb for space, matching both the band's gear and the genre's production style.