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Tighten Up — The Black Keys1 / 2
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Tighten Up Riff Guitar Tone Settings — The Black Keys

The Black Keys · 2010s+ · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Supro Martinique
Pickups
Vistatone single-coil pickups
Amp
Fender Tweed Amp (likely Twin or Bassman, exact model not confirmed for studio recording of 'Tighten Up')
Pickup Position
Neck pickup

Studio recording, 2010 ('Brothers' album). Guitar and amp confirmed for 'Tighten Up' era and recording. Effects chain confirmed for riff section. Some sources reference live rigs, but only studio-confirmed gear included.

Amp Settings

Mids
6.5
Bass
6
Gain
5.5
Reverb
2
Treble
6.5
Presence
5.5

Effects Chain

  • Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi (likely Sovtek Green Russian or vintage NYC version) · fuzz
  • Boss PH-3 Phase Shifter · phaser
  • Boss OC-2 Super Octave · octave
  • MXR Dyna Comp · compression
  • MXR Ten Band EQ · eq

Supro Martinique → MXR Dyna Comp → Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi → Boss PH-3 Phase Shifter → Boss OC-2 Super Octave → MXR Ten Band EQ → Fender Tweed Amp

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Tone Character

  • thick and fuzzy
  • mid-forward crunch
  • slightly compressed
  • lo-fi garage rock
  • touch-sensitive
  • warm and rounded
  • articulate despite fuzz
  • distinct phaser movement
  • vintage blues-rock flavor
  • not overly saturated

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️Exact amp model for the studio recording is not 100% confirmed, but Fender Tweed (Twin or Bassman) is most likely based on era and interviews.
  • ⚠️No direct numeric amp settings found; values estimated based on typical Fender Tweed settings for this genre/era and Auerbach's described tone.
  • ⚠️Pedal order inferred from multiple rig rundowns and interviews; some live gear differs from studio, but fuzz, phaser, and octave confirmed for 'Tighten Up' riff.
  • ⚠️Pickup selector inferred from tone and typical Auerbach usage on Supro Martinique.
  • ⚠️Presence and reverb settings estimated; Fender Tweed amps have minimal reverb, mostly room sound on record.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Dan Auerbach's tone on 'Tighten Up' is classic blues-rock edge-of-breakup with a thick, mid-forward sound, likely using a vintage amp (like a Fender or Marshall combo) with moderate gain, boosted mids and bass, and restrained treble/presence for warmth; reverb is minimal, as the production is dry and punchy.

Sources