GuitarDistortedRiff
You Only Live Once Riff Guitar Tone Settings — The Strokes
The Strokes · 2000s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Epiphone Riviera (early 2000s, stock mini-humbuckers, natural finish)
Pickups
Epiphone mini-humbuckers (stock, chrome covers)
Amp
Fender Hot Rod DeVille 212 (60W 2x12 combo, silverface, early 2000s)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2005-2006 (First Impressions of Earth sessions). Nick Valensi is confirmed to use his Epiphone Riviera and Fender Hot Rod DeVille for the main riff section. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for this part. No pedalboard photos from the studio, but multiple sources confirm this as his core setup for the album.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6
Gain5.5
Reverb1.5
Treble7
Presence5.5
Effects Chain
- Visual Sound Jekyll & Hyde (version 1 likely) · distortion
Epiphone Riviera → Visual Sound Jekyll & Hyde → Fender Hot Rod DeVille (spring reverb at low setting)
Tone Matcher
Match This Tone to Your Gear
Tell us your guitar and amp — we’ll calculate the exact settings translated to your specific rig.
7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.
Tone Character
- crunchy but smooth
- tight, punchy rhythm attack
- bright and articulate
- slightly compressed
- focused midrange
- clear note separation
- minimal reverb
- dry, direct studio sound
- dynamic pick attack
- garage rock bite