GuitarDistortedRiff
Paperback Writer Riff Guitar Tone Settings — The Beatles
The Beatles · 1960s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Epiphone Casino (1965, sunburst, trapeze tailpiece)
Pickups
Epiphone P-90 single coils
Amp
Vox UL730
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1966. Paul McCartney played the main riff on his Epiphone Casino through a Vox UL730 amp. The tone is notable for its bright, biting character and slight overdrive. No evidence of additional pedals or effects beyond amp settings and possible studio compression. All information is specific to the studio recording, not live performances.
Amp Settings
Mids8
Bass6.5
Gain4
Reverb1.5
Treble7.5
Presence5.5
Tone Matcher
Match This Tone to Your Gear
Tell us your guitar and amp — we’ll calculate the exact settings translated to your specific rig.
7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.
Tone Character
- bright and biting
- slightly fuzzy edge
- articulate single-note riff
- tight and percussive attack
- crisp high end
- medium sustain
- clear note separation
- mildly compressed
- dynamic response to picking
- classic British amp crunch