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Simple Man Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd · 1970s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1969 Gibson Les Paul Standard
Pickups
Gibson PAF-style humbuckers
Amp
Peavey Mace 320T
Pickup Position
Neck pickup
Studio recording, 1973; Gary Rossington played the main riff on a Les Paul into a Peavey Mace with amp gain for breakup. No evidence of pedals or effects other than amp reverb. Settings inferred from era and amp type. No confirmed pedal use for the riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6.5
Gain5
Reverb3
Treble6.5
Presence5.5
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Tone Character
- warm and round
- slightly gritty edge-of-breakup
- full-bodied mids
- clear note separation
- touch-sensitive response
- subtle amp reverb ambience
- dynamic with picking strength
- classic southern rock rhythm
- no pedal coloration
- smooth sustain
Notes & Caveats
- No direct source lists exact amp knob settings; values estimated based on Peavey Mace typical use for southern rock in the 1970s.
- No evidence of pedals or effects other than amp reverb for the riff section; confirmed by artist interview.
- Pickup position inferred from isolated track and tone analysis; sources do not explicitly state 'neck pickup' but audio matches neck humbucker characteristics.
- Settings are for studio recording, not live.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. The 'Simple Man' riff tone is classic early '70s Southern rock: edge-of-breakup with strong mids, warm bass, and moderate treble, likely from a cranked Marshall or Peavey with a Les Paul. The amp is set for a thick, present, but not overly bright or saturated sound, with subtle spring reverb typical of the era.