GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Spoonman Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Soundgarden
Soundgarden · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Guild S-100
Pickups
Guild HB-1 humbuckers (stock, microphonic)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier + Marshall 50-watt JMP (studio blend)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1993-1994 for 'Superunknown'. Kim Thayil played the riff section using the Guild S-100 with bridge pickup, through a blend of Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier and Marshall JMP amps. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this section.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain7
Reverb1.5
Treble6.5
Presence6
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Tone Character
- sludgy and saturated
- tight and percussive
- aggressive bridge pickup bite
- clear and articulate attack
- heavy, chunky power chords
- dynamic pick response
- slightly scooped mids
- modern rock distortion
- bright upper mids
- controlled low end
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings found for 'Spoonman' studio recording; settings estimated based on Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier and Marshall JMP typical use in 1990s grunge/alt-rock context.
- Pedal/effects info for the riff section is not explicitly documented for the studio recording; chorus pedal is mentioned for other songs but not for 'Spoonman' riff.
- All effects and settings are based on best available evidence and genre/era inference.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Kim Thayil's 'Spoonman' riff tone is a thick, mid-forward, crunchy sound typical of early-90s grunge, likely using a Marshall or Mesa amp with moderate gain, strong mids, and minimal reverb; these settings reflect the aggressive yet articulate character of the riff and the production style of 'Superunknown.'