Riff Tone
Ain't No Easy Way
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Guitarrock2000s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson ES-335 (likely, as used by Peter Hayes during this era for main riff work)
AmpFender Twin Reverb (studio recording, as referenced in interviews and rig rundowns for this song/era)
PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock ES-335 pickups, likely 57 Classics or similar)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6
mid7
treble6.5
reverb4
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveKlon Klon Centaur
distortionBig Joe Big Joe Distortion
overdriveXotic Xotic SL Drive
Notes
Studio recording, 2005 (Howl album). Peter Hayes is known to use a Gibson ES-335 into a Fender Twin Reverb for the main riff section. Pedalboard includes Klon Centaur, Big Joe Distortion, Xotic SL Drive. No explicit evidence of other guitars/amps for the main riff in the studio.
Tone Character(10)
raw and rootsymid-gain crunchpercussive attackwoody midrangeslightly fuzzy edgedynamic and touch-sensitiveclear note separationorganic, vintage-voicedroomy natural reverbdistinct slide and bend articulation
Difficulty
The riff requires comfort with open tunings and a strong sense of groove, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast passages. Percussive attack and slide/bend control add moderate challenge.
Sources
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Original Gear
GuitarGibson ES-335 (likely, as used by Peter Hayes during this era for main riff work)
AmpFender Twin Reverb (studio recording, as referenced in interviews and rig rundowns for this song/era)
PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock ES-335 pickups, likely 57 Classics or similar)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6
mid7
treble6.5
reverb4
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveKlon Klon Centaur
distortionBig Joe Big Joe Distortion
overdriveXotic Xotic SL Drive
Notes
Studio recording, 2005 (Howl album). Peter Hayes is known to use a Gibson ES-335 into a Fender Twin Reverb for the main riff section. Pedalboard includes Klon Centaur, Big Joe Distortion, Xotic SL Drive. No explicit evidence of other guitars/amps for the main riff in the studio.
Tone Character(10)
raw and rootsymid-gain crunchpercussive attackwoody midrangeslightly fuzzy edgedynamic and touch-sensitiveclear note separationorganic, vintage-voicedroomy natural reverbdistinct slide and bend articulation
Difficulty
The riff requires comfort with open tunings and a strong sense of groove, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast passages. Percussive attack and slide/bend control add moderate challenge.
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