GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Still Waiting Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Sum 41
Sum 41 · 2000s · punk
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Custom (likely 1970s-2000s, as used by Deryck Whibley and Dave Baksh in studio)
Pickups
Humbucker (likely Gibson 490R/498T or similar, stock Les Paul Custom pickups)
Amp
Marshall JCM800 (studio recording, as referenced by multiple sources and era-typical for Sum 41)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2002 album 'Does This Look Infected?'. No evidence of pedals for riff section; effects kept to a minimum per interview. Dave Baksh and Deryck Whibley both used Les Paul Customs and Marshall JCM800s in this era. No evidence of live digital rigs or Kemper for this album.
Amp Settings
Mids5.5
Bass6
Gain7
Reverb0.5
Treble6.5
Presence6
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Tone Character
- tight palm-muted chugs
- aggressive and punchy
- crisp attack
- chunky power chords
- articulate high end
- slightly scooped mids
- modern punk crunch
- full-bodied distortion
- percussive riffing
- minimal effects, amp-driven gain
Notes & Caveats
- No direct studio documentation of exact amp knob settings; settings estimated based on forum consensus and typical Marshall JCM800 punk tones.
- No evidence of pedals or effects used on the riff section; interviews state effects kept to a minimum.
- Guitar and amp models inferred from interviews and era; specific pickup model not confirmed but highly likely to be stock Les Paul Custom humbuckers.
- No evidence of amp reverb or built-in effects used; reverb set to 0 as per genre and era norms.
- If alternate gear or settings are found in future, update accordingly.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Sum 41's 'Still Waiting' riff uses a tight, modern punk/hard rock tone with high gain, balanced mids (not scooped), and slightly boosted treble/presence for clarity. The bass is controlled to avoid muddiness, and the reverb is minimal for a dry, punchy mix typical of early 2000s pop punk production.