Riff Tone

22

Taylor Swift

Guitarpop2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarTaylor Taylor Swift Signature Baby Acoustic Guitar

AmpDirect Input (DI) or possible studio acoustic preamp (no evidence of electric amp used on studio recording)

PickupsPiezo under-saddle pickup (Taylor ES-B or similar, as per Baby Taylor electronics)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass5

mid6

treble7

reverb3

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 2012 (Red album). All available evidence and listening confirms the main riff is played on a bright, percussive acoustic guitar, not electric. No evidence of electric guitar or amp for the riff section. No pedalboard or amp chain documented for the studio version. Live versions sometimes use electric, but not on the original studio riff.

Tone Character(10)

bright and percussivearticulate attacktight palm-muted strummingminimal sustainclear and present midsslightly scooped low endcrisp high enddynamic and rhythmicstudio-polished claritysubtle room/plate reverb

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, fast palm-muted strumming and rhythmic precision, but uses basic open chord shapes and no advanced techniques, making it accessible to intermediate players.

Sources

Taylor Taylor Swift Signature Baby Acoustic Guitar - Equipboard Taylor Swift's Guitars, Gear, Amps & Pedals A question for any experienced guitarists here : r/TaylorSwift - Reddit

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