GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
White Rabbit Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Jefferson Airplane
Jefferson Airplane · 1960s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Guild Thunderbird
Pickups
Guild single coil pickups (stock on Thunderbird, likely DeArmond single coils)
Amp
Standel Super Imperial (solid-state, 2x15" speakers, spring reverb)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1966-1967. Jorma Kaukonen used the Guild Thunderbird into a Standel Super Imperial for the riff and solo sections of 'White Rabbit' on Surrealistic Pillow. The amp's spring reverb was heavily used. No evidence of pedals for the riff section; fuzz was not used here. The high-frequency horns on the amp were not used for this recording.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain4
Reverb6
Treble6.5
Presence5.5
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Tone Character
- bright and biting
- slightly saturated edge-of-breakup
- psychedelic shimmer
- rich spring reverb ambience
- clear note separation
- jangly and open
- articulate single notes
- notably clean with a hint of grit
- distinct 60s psychedelic character
- no fuzz or heavy distortion
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp knob settings found in sources; settings estimated based on typical Standel Super Imperial use in 1960s psychedelic rock and multiple references to 'saturating the sound with spring reverb'.
- No evidence of pedals or outboard effects for the riff section; fuzz (Ampeg Scrambler) was used on later albums, not on 'White Rabbit' riff.
- Pickup position inferred from tone and period photos; sources confirm Guild Thunderbird but not explicit pickup selector position.
- All sources agree on guitar and amp model for this recording; no evidence of additional effects or pedals for the riff.
- Settings are best estimates based on era, amp type, and genre, cross-referenced with source statements about 'brittle' amp and heavy reverb.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Jorma Kaukonen's tone on 'White Rabbit' is classic late-60s edge-of-breakup, likely from a Fender amp (Twin or Deluxe Reverb) with mids pushed for psychedelic bite, moderate bass, and restrained treble for warmth. Slight amp reverb and neutral presence reflect the era's production and the song's dreamy, focused guitar sound.