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Wonderwall Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Oasis
Oasis · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Epiphone EJ-200 acoustic-electric
Pickups
Piezo under-saddle pickup (stock Epiphone)
Amp
Marshall JCM900 (studio recording, 1995)
Pickup Position
Piezo pickup (acoustic, no selector)
Studio recording, 1995. The main riff/verse of 'Wonderwall' is played by Noel Gallagher on an Epiphone EJ-200 acoustic-electric, DI'd and/or mic'd, but also reportedly run through a Marshall JCM900 for added grit. No evidence of electric guitar for the main riff in the studio version. No pedal effects confirmed for the studio recording. Live versions sometimes use electric guitars and additional effects, but these are not relevant for the original studio riff.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain3.5
Reverb3
Treble6.5
Presence5.5
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Tone Character
- bright and percussive
- slightly gritty edge
- mid-forward presence
- articulate chord definition
- open, resonant acoustic sound
- slight breakup (not fully clean)
- no modulation or delay
- dynamic strumming response
- clear upper mids
- studio ambience, not heavy effects
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings for Wonderwall studio riff found; settings estimated based on typical Marshall JCM900 clean/edge-of-breakup use with acoustic-electric.
- No pedal effects confirmed for the studio recording; all effects listed are based on audio analysis and typical studio practice.
- Live versions may use electric guitars and more effects, but these are not relevant for the original studio riff.
- Some sources discuss general Oasis electric tones or live rigs, but the studio version is acoustic-electric through amp/DI.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Noel Gallagher used a clean to edge-of-breakup Britpop tone for 'Wonderwall,' likely with a Marshall or Vox amp, emphasizing mids and warmth for the acoustic-driven riff. The tone is clean but full, with moderate bass, strong mids, and just enough reverb for space, matching 90s Britpop production.