GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Where Is My Mind? Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Pixies
Pixies · 1980s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Standard
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers (stock, late 1970s/early 1980s Les Paul Standard)
Amp
Marshall JCM800 50-watt head with Marshall 4x12 cab
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1987-1988, Surfer Rosa album. Multiple sources confirm Les Paul into Marshall JCM800 for dirty tones. RAT pedal likely used for distortion. No evidence of additional pedals or effects for the main riff section. No evidence of amp effects loop or additional studio effects on the riff.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6
Gain5.5
Reverb2.5
Treble7
Presence5.5
Effects Chain
- ProCo RAT · distortion
Gibson Les Paul Standard → ProCo RAT → Marshall JCM800 50-watt head → Marshall 4x12 cab (spring reverb low)
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Tone Character
- British crunch
- mid-forward
- clear, defined attack
- slightly compressed
- open and dynamic
- not overly saturated
- raw and unpolished
- full-bodied
- slight edge-of-breakup
- articulate single-note clarity
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings for the studio recording found; settings estimated based on typical Marshall JCM800 usage for 1980s alternative rock and user forum suggestions.
- RAT pedal is strongly suggested by multiple sources for Surfer Rosa era, but not 100% confirmed for the main riff of 'Where Is My Mind?'.
- No evidence of modulation, delay, or time-based effects on the riff section; only overdrive/distortion is clearly audible.
- Amp reverb is likely set low or off; the track is mostly dry except for room ambience.
- Pickup position not explicitly stated, but bridge pickup is standard for this tone and era.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Joey Santiago's tone on 'Where Is My Mind?' is clean-to-edge-of-breakup with a jangly, slightly mid-forward character typical of late-80s alternative rock. The amp is likely set for clarity and chime, with moderate bass and treble, forward mids, and a touch of reverb for space, matching the production style and gear (Fender amps, Jazzmaster/Strat) of the era.