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Pardon Me — Incubus1 / 2
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Pardon Me Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Incubus

Incubus · 1990s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
PRS CE24 (1990s model, maple neck, alder body)
Pickups
PRS HFS (bridge) and Vintage Bass (neck) humbuckers
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (early 2-channel version, 1990s)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 1999. Mike Einziger used a PRS CE24 into a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier for the main riff on 'Pardon Me'. No direct evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the riff section. Capo on 1st fret is used for chord voicings.

Amp Settings

Mids
6
Bass
6
Gain
6.5
Reverb
1.5
Treble
6.5
Presence
6

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Tone Character

  • tight and percussive
  • crunchy, mid-gain distortion
  • clear chord articulation
  • slightly compressed
  • modern alternative rock edge
  • dynamic response to picking
  • open, ringing chords
  • bright resonance from capo voicings
  • focused, not overly saturated
  • articulate rhythm

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct source gives exact amp knob settings for the studio recording; values estimated based on typical Mesa/Boogie Rectifier settings for late 90s alternative rock.
  • ⚠️No official studio pedalboard photo for 'Pardon Me' riff section; pedal choices inferred from era, genre, and audible effects.
  • ⚠️PRS CE24 and Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier are confirmed as Mike Einziger's main rig for this era, but not explicitly tied to the 'Pardon Me' studio session in sources.
  • ⚠️Capo on 1st fret is confirmed for chord voicings, but pickup position is inferred from typical tone and live footage.
  • ⚠️No evidence of chorus, flanger, or delay in the riff section; phaser is not audible in the main riff, only in other Incubus songs.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Mike Einziger used Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifiers in the late 90s, favoring a crunchy, mid-forward, and articulate tone for 'Pardon Me.' The riff is saturated but not overly scooped or fizzy, with tight low end, present mids, and minimal reverb, matching alt-rock production of the era.

Sources