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Valleys of Neptune — Jimi Hendrix1 / 2
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Valleys of Neptune Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix · 1970s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Fender Stratocaster (likely late 1960s, Olympic White, maple neck, right-handed strung lefty as per Hendrix's typical studio use in 1969-1970)
Pickups
Fender single-coil Stratocaster pickups (late 1960s spec)
Amp
Marshall Super Lead 100 (Model 1959, Plexi, 100-watt head, typical Hendrix studio amp in 1969-1970)
Pickup Position
Neck pickup (likely), possibly position 4 (neck + middle) for added warmth

Studio recording, 1969-1970 sessions (Electric Lady Studios), not live. Billy Cox on bass per session notes. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for this track. No evidence of live-specific gear for the riff section.

Amp Settings

Mids
7
Bass
6.5
Gain
5
Reverb
2.5
Treble
6.5
Presence
6

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Tone Character

  • crisp and glassy
  • touch-sensitive edge-of-breakup
  • dynamic and percussive
  • clear note separation
  • slightly compressed
  • warm low end
  • present mids
  • classic Marshall crunch
  • articulate single-coil clarity
  • subtle studio ambience

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct source lists exact amp or pedal settings for 'Valleys of Neptune' riff section; settings estimated based on typical Hendrix Marshall Plexi usage in late 1960s/1970.
  • ⚠️No explicit evidence of fuzz, wah, or modulation pedals in the riff section; Fuzz Face and wah are confirmed for Hendrix in this era but not clearly audible in this song's riff.
  • ⚠️Pedal/effect info is inferred from audio and Hendrix's typical studio setup, not from direct session documentation.
  • ⚠️Pickup choice is inferred from tone and Hendrix's common practice, not from explicit source.
  • ⚠️Reverb is likely from studio or amp room, not from pedal or amp reverb circuit.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Hendrix's 'Valleys of Neptune' riff uses his typical edge-of-breakup tone with a Strat into a cranked Marshall, emphasizing rich mids and a slightly rolled-off treble for warmth, with moderate bass and presence for clarity. The reverb is subtle, likely added in post, matching late 60s/early 70s production.

Sources