GuitarDistortedRiff
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