GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Siberian Khatru Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Yes
Yes · 1970s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1963 Fender Stratocaster
Pickups
Fender single-coil pickups (original 1963 spec)
Amp
Vox AC30 (early 1960s, Top Boost)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup (possibly bridge + middle position)
Studio recording, 1972. Steve Howe used his 1963 Fender Stratocaster for the main riff section of 'Siberian Khatru' on Close to the Edge. No evidence of pedals or outboard effects for the distorted riff; distortion comes from cranked amp. Pickup selector likely in bridge or bridge+middle position for brighter, cutting tone.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain6
Reverb2
Treble7
Presence6
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Tone Character
- bright and articulate
- tight and percussive
- glassy highs
- dynamic and responsive
- cranked British amp crunch
- clear single-coil definition
- slight natural compression
- minimal sustain
- focused midrange
- cutting presence in mix
Notes & Caveats
- No direct amp knob settings found in sources; settings estimated based on typical 1960s Vox AC30 usage for classic rock with a Stratocaster.
- No evidence of pedals or outboard effects used for the riff section; distortion is amp-based.
- Pickup position inferred from tone and Steve Howe's known Strat usage; not explicitly stated in sources.
- No mention of effects loop or studio outboard effects for guitar in this section.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Steve Howe's 'Siberian Khatru' riff tone is classic early-70s British crunch: edge-of-breakup to light crunch, with strong mids and moderate treble for clarity, using a Marshall stack and ES-175. The mix is dry with just a touch of room reverb, and the tone is mid-forward, articulate, and slightly bright but not harsh.