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September Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Earth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire · 1970s · other
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1972 Gibson ES-335 (left-handed, vintage, as used by Al McKay on studio recording)
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers (vintage, likely T-Top or similar 1970s spec)
Amp
Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus (modified, as used by Al McKay in studio for 'September')
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup (for maximum clarity and snap on funk rhythm)
Studio recording, 1978. Al McKay played the main riff on a left-handed 1972 Gibson ES-335 through a Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus. Some sources mention a Vox Super Beatle as an alternative, but JC-120 is most cited for this era and style. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for the studio riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids6
Bass5.5
Gain0
Reverb3.5
Treble7.5
Presence5.5
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Tone Character
- shiny and jangly
- bright and articulate
- tight and percussive
- clean with glassy attack
- crisp, defined top end
- snappy, syncopated feel
- warm but clear
- slightly compressed
- major-7th embellishments
- minimal breakup
Notes & Caveats
- Gain adjusted to 0 for clean tone
- No direct numeric amp settings found; values estimated based on typical JC-120 settings for 1970s disco/funk and genre conventions.
- Guitar and amp models confirmed for Al McKay on 'September' studio recording; pickup position inferred from typical funk rhythm practice and tone.
- No evidence of pedals used on studio riff section; chorus effect is amp-based (Roland JC-120).
- Some sources mention Vox Super Beatle as alternative amp, but JC-120 is most consistently cited for this era and sound.
- Settings are not from direct artist interview or session notes, but inferred from era, genre, and amp model.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Al McKay's riff tone on 'September' is ultra-clean, bright, and funky, typical of late-70s R&B/funk. The gain is set just above clean for warmth, with mids and treble pushed for clarity and cut, bass moderate to avoid muddiness, and a touch of reverb for space, matching both the era's production and genre conventions.