GuitarDistortedRiff
Roadhouse Blues Riff Guitar Tone Settings — The Doors
The Doors · 1970s · blues
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson SG Special (late 1960s, likely 1967-1968, P-90 pickups, used fingerstyle for riff)
Pickups
Gibson P-90 single coil
Amp
Fender Twin Reverb (blackface, late 1960s, studio recording)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup (P-90), likely with tone rolled back slightly for warmth
Studio recording for 'Roadhouse Blues' (Morrison Hotel, 1969/1970). Robby Krieger played fingerstyle on the riff. Amp was a Fender Twin Reverb, as confirmed by Krieger in interviews. No evidence of pedals or outboard effects on the riff section; overdrive comes from amp being cranked. Settings are based on Krieger's own description for studio use.
Amp Settings
Mids6
Bass5
Gain6.5
Reverb3
Treble7
Presence5
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Tone Character
- gritty and raw
- edge-of-breakup crunch
- warm and punchy
- bright and articulate
- touch-sensitive dynamics
- slightly compressed from amp overdrive
- percussive attack from fingerstyle
- open and uncompressed
- classic blues-rock bite
- minimal sustain, quick decay