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The Riverboat Song — Ocean Colour Scene1 / 2
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The Riverboat Song Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Ocean Colour Scene

Ocean Colour Scene · 1990s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Goldtop
Pickups
Gibson PAF-style humbuckers
Amp
Marshall JCM800
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 1995-1996, as used on the 'Moseley Shoals' album. Steve Cradock explicitly states Les Paul and JCM800 were used for this album and song. No evidence of alternate guitars/amps for the riff section in the studio.

Amp Settings

Mids
7.5
Bass
6.5
Gain
6
Reverb
2
Treble
7
Presence
6

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Tone Character

  • classic British crunch
  • punchy, mid-forward riff tone
  • tight, percussive attack
  • warm, harmonically rich overdrive
  • articulate note separation
  • dynamic response to picking
  • slightly compressed, not fuzzy
  • clear, defined low end
  • upper-mid emphasis
  • vintage rock drive

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct numeric amp settings found in sources; settings estimated based on typical Marshall JCM800 usage for 90s Britpop/rock and the tone on the recording.
  • ⚠️No explicit mention of pedal use for the riff section; all effects listed are either confirmed by source for this era or inferred as not present/audible.
  • ⚠️Pedals like Boss DD-6 Delay and wah are mentioned in artist's general rig, but not confirmed or audible in the main riff section of this song.
  • ⚠️No evidence of effects loop or amp-based effects (other than minimal reverb) used on the studio recording for the riff section.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. The Riverboat Song riff uses a classic British crunch with strong midrange and punch, typical of Steve Cradock's use of vintage Marshall amps and semi-hollow guitars. The tone is mid-forward, not overly saturated, with tight lows, clear but not piercing highs, and minimal reverb, matching 90s Britpop/rock production.

Sources