GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
One of My Lies Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Green Day
Green Day · 1990s · punk
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Fernandes Stratocaster copy (Blue, aka 'Blue')
Pickups
Bill Lawrence L-500XL humbucker (bridge position, swapped in by Billie Joe Armstrong)
Amp
Marshall JCM900 4100 100-watt Tube Head
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1991-1992 for 'Kerplunk!'. Billie Joe Armstrong used his Fernandes Strat copy with a Bill Lawrence L-500XL in the bridge, into a Marshall JCM900 4100. No evidence of pedals or additional effects for the riff section; tone is amp-driven. No evidence of live/tour gear or alternate guitars for this specific song/section.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6
Gain7
Reverb1
Treble7
Presence6
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Tone Character
- tight and punchy
- mid-heavy British crunch
- slightly gritty
- clear note separation
- percussive attack
- raw and unpolished
- modest amp breakup
- dynamic response to picking
- slightly scooped but not thin
- no audible effects
Notes & Caveats
- No direct source provides exact amp knob settings for 'One of My Lies' riff; settings are estimated based on typical Marshall JCM900 usage for early 90s punk and the album's tone.
- No evidence of pedals or effects used on the riff section; all distortion is amp-driven.
- Pickup and amp model are confirmed for the album, but not for each individual song; however, all evidence and listening strongly support this configuration.
- No evidence of modulation, delay, or reverb pedals; amp reverb is set low for slight room ambience.
- No official pickup selector documentation, but bridge humbucker is overwhelmingly likely for this tone.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Billie Joe Armstrong's early 90s Green Day tone on 'One of My Lies' is classic punk crunch: moderately high gain for aggression, balanced EQ with slightly forward mids and bright attack, minimal reverb (recorded dry), and neutral presence, matching his Marshall amp and P-90 guitar setup from the era.