Nancy Boy — Placebo1 / 2
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Nancy Boy Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Placebo

Placebo · 1990s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Fender Jaguar
Pickups
Fender Jaguar single-coil pickups
Amp
Unknown (likely Marshall or similar British high-gain amp, but not confirmed for this recording)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 1996. Guitar confirmed via Equipboard for album era. No explicit amp or pedal model confirmed for 'Nancy Boy' riff section. Pedal type inferred from genre, era, and forum discussion.

Amp Settings

Mids
7
Bass
6
Gain
7.5
Reverb
2
Treble
6.5
Presence
6

Effects Chain

  • Fuzz pedal (model unknown) · fuzz

Fender Jaguar → Fuzz pedal (model unknown) → High-gain British amp (likely Marshall or similar) with light spring reverb

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Tone Character

  • fuzz-laden and saturated
  • aggressive and biting
  • compressed and thick
  • mid-forward punch
  • tight and percussive
  • slightly scooped highs
  • raw, gritty attack
  • distinct 90s alternative edge
  • notably fuzzy texture
  • high output, in-your-face presence

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No explicit amp model or pedal model confirmed for 'Nancy Boy' riff section in available sources.
  • ⚠️Pedal type (fuzz/distortion) inferred from genre, era, and forum discussion; model unknown.
  • ⚠️Amp settings estimated based on typical 90s British alt-rock high-gain tones.
  • ⚠️No specific numeric amp or pedal settings found; values are inferred from context and genre.
  • ⚠️Signal chain order and effects loop usage not confirmed in sources.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Placebo's 'Nancy Boy' riff features a saturated, mid-forward Britpop/alt-rock tone typical of late-90s Marshall amps, with high gain for sustain, strong mids for punch, and moderate bass/treble for clarity without harshness. Reverb is minimal, as the production is tight and upfront.

Sources