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You Are — Pearl Jam1 / 2
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You Are Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Pearl Jam

Pearl Jam · 2000s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Fender Bass VI
Pickups
Fender single-coil Bass VI pickups
Amp
Line 6 DL4 (used as main effect), amp model unknown (likely Marshall or Fender in studio)
Pickup Position
Neck pickup (likely, for rounder tone on Bass VI)

Stone Gossard played the main riff on a Fender Bass VI through a Line 6 DL4 pedal for the signature modulation effect. Studio recording, Riot Act album (2002). No evidence of traditional guitar amp being the primary tone shaper; the DL4 is central to the riff sound.

Amp Settings

Mids
6.5
Bass
6
Gain
5.5
Reverb
2.5
Treble
6.5
Presence
5.5

Effects Chain

  • Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler · modulation

Fender Bass VI → Line 6 DL4 (modulation) → Amp (model unknown, likely Marshall or Fender, with light spring reverb)

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Tone Character

  • heavily modulated
  • synth-like
  • stuttered, choppy effect
  • deep swirling modulation
  • thick and percussive
  • mid-heavy
  • slightly fuzzy
  • processed and unique
  • octave and delay-based modulation
  • studio effect-driven

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No official amp model or settings for 'You Are' studio recording found; amp settings estimated based on typical Pearl Jam studio tones from early 2000s.
  • ⚠️Signature effect is the Line 6 DL4 pedal's 'Square Wave Tremolo' or 'Auto-Volume Echo' mode, which is central to the riff sound.
  • ⚠️No evidence of additional pedals or amp-based effects beyond the DL4 modulation.
  • ⚠️Exact pickup position not confirmed, but neck pickup is likely for the rounder, bassier tone.
  • ⚠️If a traditional amp was used, it was not the primary tone shaper; the DL4 pedal dominates the sound.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Stone Gossard's riff tone on 'You Are' is mid-forward, crunchy but not high-gain, with a thick, chewy character typical of his Mesa/Boogie and Fender amp use in the early 2000s. The EQ is balanced but slightly mid-boosted for punch, with moderate bass and treble, subtle presence, and minimal reverb as per Pearl Jam's dry, direct production style.

Sources