GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Waiting for the Thunder Guitar Tone Settings — Blackberry Smoke
Blackberry Smoke · 2010s+ · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson ES-345
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers (likely stock ES-345, vintage-voiced)
Amp
Germino Lead 55LV (Marshall Plexi-style head) into 4x12 cabinet
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2016 album 'Like an Arrow'. Gear confirmed for studio use via Equipboard and BBC performance. No evidence of pedal use for riff section; amp provides main drive.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6.5
Gain6
Reverb2.5
Treble7
Presence6
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Tone Character
- British crunch
- open and dynamic
- full-bodied midrange
- clear note separation
- touch-sensitive response
- slightly compressed attack
- harmonic overtones
- vintage-voiced humbucker sound
- punchy lows
- articulate highs
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings found for 'Waiting for the Thunder'; settings estimated based on Germino Lead 55 (Marshall Plexi circuit) typical usage in southern/classic rock context.
- Pedal use for riff section not confirmed in any source; no obvious effects (delay, chorus, etc.) audible in riff section—amp provides main drive.
- Guitar model confirmed for studio/live via BBC/Jools Holland performance and Equipboard, but pickup selector position inferred from typical classic rock rhythm approach.
- Reverb setting is estimated low (2/10) as Germino amps are Marshall-style and typically do not have built-in reverb; any ambience is likely from the studio room.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Blackberry Smoke's 'Waiting for the Thunder' riff has a classic Southern rock crunch—thick, mid-forward, and punchy but not overly saturated. Charlie Starr typically uses Les Pauls into Marshall-style amps with moderate gain, boosted mids, and a balanced EQ, with just a touch of reverb for space. These settings reflect the band's era, genre, and signature tone.