GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
When the Sun Hits Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Slowdive
Slowdive · 1990s · other
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender American Standard Telecaster
Pickups
Fender single-coil (stock Telecaster pickups)
Amp
Yamaha FX500 Multi-Effects Processor (Soft Focus patch) into likely clean solid-state or tube amp (exact model not confirmed for studio recording)
Pickup Position
Neck pickup
Studio recording, 1993-1994, Souvlaki album. Neil Halstead is confirmed to have used a Fender Telecaster and the Yamaha FX500 'Soft Focus' patch for the signature dreamy shoegaze tone. Amp model for the studio session is not confirmed in sources; likely a clean amp platform. No evidence of live/tour gear or alternate guitars for this section.
Amp Settings
Mids6
Bass6
Gain4
Reverb7.5
Treble6.5
Presence5
Effects Chain
- Yamaha FX500 (Soft Focus patch) · modulation
Fender Telecaster → Yamaha FX500 (Soft Focus patch) → Clean amp
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Tone Character
- lush and ambient
- ethereal and dreamy
- shimmering top end
- soft attack
- sustained, washy chords
- modulated reverb tail
- not heavily distorted
- wide stereo image
- synth-like guitar timbre
- layered, immersive sound
Notes & Caveats
- No direct source confirms the exact amp model or amp settings for the studio recording; settings estimated based on genre, era, and typical shoegaze setups.
- Yamaha FX500 'Soft Focus' patch is widely cited as the core of the tone, but the rest of the signal chain (amp, additional pedals) is not explicitly confirmed for the studio recording.
- No numeric amp settings found in sources; values estimated based on typical shoegaze and Telecaster setups.
- No explicit pickup selector position stated, but neck pickup is most likely based on tone descriptors and genre conventions.
- No pedalboard photo or studio documentation confirming additional pedals for this song's riff section.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Slowdive's 'When the Sun Hits' riff features a lush, slightly driven tone with prominent reverb, typical of shoegaze. The gain is set for edge-of-breakup/crunch, with balanced EQ (slightly boosted bass for warmth, moderate mids/treble for clarity), and heavy reverb to achieve the signature dreamy wash.