GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Spirit In the Sky Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Norman Greenbaum
Norman Greenbaum · 1960s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Teisco Del Rey hollowbody (likely model ET-460 or similar, as per multiple sources)
Pickups
Teisco single-coil pickups (stock, low output, microphonic)
Amp
Unknown tube amp (not definitively identified in any source; likely a small combo amp typical of late 1960s studios)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup (Teisco single-coil, likely selected for maximum bite and clarity through fuzz)
Studio recording, 1969. The fuzz tone was achieved using a Jordan Boss Tone fuzz unit plugged directly into the guitar. No evidence of additional pedals or amp effects. Some sources mention a Telecaster with built-in fuzz, but majority consensus and interviews point to the Teisco Del Rey with a Jordan Boss Tone. No evidence of live rig for this tone.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6
Gain7
Reverb2.5
Treble7
Presence5.5
Effects Chain
- Jordan Boss Tone Fuzz · fuzz
Teisco Del Rey hollowbody → Jordan Boss Tone Fuzz → Tube combo amp (with light spring reverb)
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Tone Character
- broken and nasty fuzz
- sputtery, mis-biased fuzz
- buzzsaw-like distortion
- thick, compressed sustain
- lo-fi, spitty character
- raw, aggressive attack
- slightly gated fuzz decay
- midrange-heavy, nasal tone
- unrefined, garage rock texture
- distinctive, gnarly fuzz
Notes & Caveats
- No definitive amp model is confirmed in any source; amp settings are estimated based on typical late 1960s studio tube combos and the recorded sound.
- Some sources mention a Telecaster with built-in fuzz, but majority consensus and interviews point to a Teisco Del Rey hollowbody with Jordan Boss Tone.
- No numeric amp settings found in sources; values are estimated based on era, genre, and typical amp voicing for this sound.
- No evidence of additional pedals or effects beyond the Jordan Boss Tone fuzz.
- No evidence of effects loop or time-based/modulation effects; all distortion is from the fuzz pedal.
- Pickup selector not explicitly stated, but bridge pickup is most likely for maximum clarity through fuzz.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. The 'Spirit In the Sky' riff has a thick, fuzzy, mid-forward tone typical of late '60s rock, likely using a fuzz pedal into a cranked tube amp (often a Fender or similar). The amp settings would emphasize mids and treble for cut, with moderate bass and presence for clarity, and a touch of spring reverb for period-correct ambience.