TonesMatch
PDA — Interpol1 / 2
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PDA Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Interpol

Interpol · 2000s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Epiphone Casino (1967, hollowbody electric)
Pickups
Epiphone P-90 single coils
Amp
Fender '65 Twin Reverb (Blackface reissue or original)
Pickup Position
Neck pickup

Studio recording, 2002 (Turn On The Bright Lights). Daniel Kessler played the main riff on a 1967 Epiphone Casino through a Fender Twin Reverb. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for this section. Settings estimated based on era, genre, and amp type due to lack of explicit numeric values.

Amp Settings

Mids
6.5
Bass
5.5
Gain
4
Reverb
3.5
Treble
7
Presence
6

Effects Chain

  • Boss DD-5 Digital Delay · delay
  • Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Reverb · reverb
  • MXR M133 Micro Amp · boost

Epiphone Casino → MXR Micro Amp → Boss DD-5 → Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail → Fender Twin Reverb (spring reverb on)

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Tone Character

  • dark and slightly gritty
  • clean with edge-of-breakup drive
  • reverb-laden and atmospheric
  • articulate and percussive attack
  • shimmering clarity
  • expansive and haunting
  • modest breakup, not pristine clean
  • tight low end
  • present mids and highs
  • not compressed or saturated

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No explicit numeric amp settings for PDA riff found in sources; settings estimated based on typical Fender Twin Reverb use in early 2000s post-punk/indie rock context.
  • ⚠️Pedalboard details for Daniel Kessler on this specific recording are not fully documented; only effects with strong evidence or clear audibility included.
  • ⚠️Some sources mention Telecaster use in early days, but multiple interviews and gear rundowns confirm Casino as primary for TOTBL era studio recordings.
  • ⚠️No evidence of effects loop use or additional amp-based effects beyond reverb.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Interpol's 'PDA' riff features a clear, punchy, mid-forward post-punk tone with moderate breakup, typical of Paul Banks' use of clean-ish amps (often Fender or Vox) with a touch of grit and minimal effects. The EQ is balanced but slightly mid- and treble-focused for articulation, with subtle reverb for space, matching the early-2000s indie production style.

Sources