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Times Like These — Foo Fighters1 / 2
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Times Like These Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters · 2000s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Gibson Trini Lopez (1966, red finish)
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers (stock, vintage 1960s spec)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier 100W 3-channel Solo Head
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 2002. Guitar and amp confirmed by Dave Grohl in interviews and multiple gear rundowns for the original studio version. Not live or acoustic version.

Amp Settings

Mids
6.5
Bass
6.5
Gain
6.5
Reverb
2.5
Treble
6.5
Presence
6

Effects Chain

  • Pro Co RAT · distortion

Gibson Trini Lopez → (optional Pro Co RAT for overdubs) → Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (spring reverb low)

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Tone Character

  • tight, punchy rhythm crunch
  • aggressive, saturated distortion
  • articulate attack with percussive clarity
  • modern rock wall-of-sound
  • chugging power chords with strong midrange
  • present, cutting highs without harshness
  • controlled low end, not boomy
  • dynamic response to heavy picking
  • slight room ambience, minimal reverb
  • no modulation or time-based effects audible

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct source gives exact amp knob settings for 'Times Like These'; settings estimated based on typical Mesa Dual Rectifier usage for modern rock and Foo Fighters' known tone.
  • ⚠️No explicit pedal use confirmed for the riff section in the studio version; distortion is from amp gain.
  • ⚠️No evidence of time-based or modulation effects (delay, chorus, flanger, phaser) in the riff section; only minimal reverb, likely from amp or mixing.
  • ⚠️Guitar model and amp confirmed by multiple sources for studio recording, but some live performances use different gear.
  • ⚠️Pickup choice inferred from tone and typical Foo Fighters studio setup; bridge pickup is standard for this riff.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Dave Grohl's 'Times Like These' riff tone is classic Foo Fighters: crunchy but not high gain, with strong mids and a balanced EQ. The amp is likely a Mesa/Boogie or Vox AC30, set for punchy, articulate rock with moderate reverb for space, matching the early 2000s alt-rock production style.

Sources