GuitarDistortedRiff
Somebody Told Me Riff Guitar Tone Settings — The Killers
The Killers · 2000s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Explorer
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers (stock, likely 496R/500T or similar for early 2000s Explorer)
Amp
Fender Hot Rod DeVille
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2003-2004 (Hot Fuss era). Dave Keuning used a Gibson Explorer into a Fender Hot Rod DeVille for the main riff. Chorus and delay effects are mentioned as typical for The Killers' sound. Settings are based on Guitar World lesson referencing the band's style and era.
Amp Settings
Mids6
Bass6.5
Gain7
Reverb3.5
Treble7
Presence5.5
Effects Chain
- Chorus pedal (model unknown) · chorus
- Delay pedal (model unknown) · delay
Guitar → Chorus pedal → Delay pedal → Fender Hot Rod DeVille (with spring reverb)
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Tone Character
- bright and articulate
- tight and punchy attack
- modulated shimmer
- crisp octave clarity
- slightly compressed
- vintage-flavored crunch
- modest ambience
- anthemic and cinematic
- not overly saturated
- rhythmically precise