Riff Tone

Alchemy

Philip Sayce

Guitarblues2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely 1960s or custom shop, as per Sayce's usual studio gear for this era)

AmpFender Super Reverb (vintage, likely blackface or silverface, as used in studio and referenced in interviews)

PickupsSingle-coil (vintage-style Strat pickups, likely stock or custom-wound, no evidence of humbuckers or noiseless pickups)

Amp Settings

gain5.5

bass6.5

mid7.5

treble7

reverb2.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

wahVox Vox Clyde Wah

fuzzDallas-Arbiter Dallas-Arbiter Fuzz Face

overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS-808 Tube Screamer

Notes

Studio recording, circa 2009-2010 (album release era). Sayce is known for using a Super Reverb with JBL or EV speakers in the studio, not live Mystic Mother heads. Pedalboard includes Fuzz Face, Tube Screamer, Vox Clyde wah, and possibly Klon Centaur, but only pedals confirmed for this era and song are included. No evidence of amp reverb or other amp effects used for this riff section.

Tone Character(10)

touch-sensitiveedge-of-breakup crunchbright and articulatehigh-mid emphasisaggressive attackdynamic responsesinging sustaintight and percussiveHendrix-esquephat blues shred

Difficulty

The riff requires advanced control of dynamics and articulation at high speed, with precise use of wah and fuzz for expressive phrasing. The touch-sensitive setup and fast tempo add to the technical challenge.

Sources

Philip Sayce interview | MusicRadar Philip Sayce - Insanely early breakup on a Super Reverb? | Page 4 Philip Sayce | Page 2 | The Gear Page I've recently discovered the blues... show me the way : r/bluesguitarist

Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear

Create Free Account