Riff Tone

Boys in the Better Land

Fontaines D.C.

Guitarrock2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarFender Custom Shop Rory Gallagher Signature Stratocaster

AmpFender Twin Reverb (likely Silverface or '68 Custom Reissue)

PickupsFender Custom Shop single-coil Stratocaster pickups (Rory Gallagher spec)

Amp Settings

gain5

bass5.5

mid7

treble7

reverb3

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

boostMXR MXR Micro Amp

overdriveStrymon Strymon Sunset

reverbBoss Boss RV-6

Notes

Studio recording, 2018-2019. Carlos O’Connell used the Rory Gallagher Stratocaster for the main riff on the studio version. Amp is a Fender Twin Reverb, possibly paired with a Deluxe Reverb via ABY switcher. Pedalboard as per Premier Guitar Rig Rundown. No evidence of alternate guitars/amps for the riff section in the studio.

Tone Character(10)

jangly and directbright and articulateslightly gritty edgepercussive attacktreble-forwardtight and punchydynamic responsesingle-coil claritynot heavily compressedopen, slightly reverberant

Difficulty

The riff is fast and requires tight, consistent downstrokes and muting for the percussive, driving feel, but uses straightforward chord shapes and rhythm, making it accessible to intermediate players.

Sources

Fontaines D.C. Rig Rundown [2025] - Premier Guitar Fontaines D.C. Rig Rundown - Premier Guitar Guitar Tone : r/fontainesdc Melbourne show notes : r/fontainesdc

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