GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High? Guitar Tone Settings
Arctic Monkeys · 2010s+ · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gretsch Spectra Sonic Baritone
Pickups
Gretsch mini-humbuckers
Amp
Fender 'Silverface' Twin Reverb (1972-1976)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2013. Guitar and amp confirmed for riff section of 'Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?'. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for this part. Baritone guitar used for main riff, as confirmed by multiple sources. No explicit pedalboard details for this song's studio recording.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass5.5
Gain4.5
Reverb3.5
Treble6.5
Presence5.5
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Tone Character
- tight and punchy
- slightly gritty
- articulate low-end
- focused midrange
- clear note separation
- percussive attack
- minimal sustain
- distinct baritone character
- not overly saturated
- modern, dry edge
Notes & Caveats
- No explicit numeric amp settings found for this song; settings estimated based on typical Fender Twin Reverb use in modern rock and baritone guitar context.
- No direct evidence of pedals or effects used on the studio riff section; pedalboard details are for live or other songs.
- No evidence of effects loop or additional amp-based effects beyond spring reverb.
- Pickup position inferred from typical baritone riff tone and genre.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Alex Turner's riff tone on 'Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?' is mid-forward, punchy, and dry, with moderate gain (edge of breakup to light crunch), typical of his Fender amp and semi-hollow guitar setup in this era. The mids are pushed for that British rock attitude, bass and treble are balanced, and reverb is minimal to keep the riff tight and upfront.