Riff Tone

Cooking Up Something Good

Mac DeMarco

Guitarrock2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarFender Squier Stratocaster (likely Japanese-made, early 2000s, as used by Mac DeMarco on '2')

AmpRoland JC-120 Jazz Chorus

PickupsStock Squier Stratocaster single-coil pickups

Amp Settings

gain0

bass6

mid6

treble6.5

reverb2.5

presence5

Effects & Signal Chain

chorusBoss Boss CE-2 Chorus (or Ibanez SC-10 Super Stereo Chorus)

Notes

Studio recording, 2012. Gear confirmed for '2' era by multiple sources. Chorus effect is a hallmark of the JC-120 and/or pedal. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for this riff section.

Tone Character(10)

clean and shimmeringwobbly chorus modulationbright and glassy highsrounded, warm lowsarticulate single notesslightly compressed attacksubtle tape saturationno audible distortiontight, percussive rhythmdreamy, lo-fi texture

Difficulty

The riff requires clean, syncopated strumming and accurate chord voicings to maintain clarity with the chorus effect, but does not involve advanced techniques or high speed.

Sources

Mac DeMarco's Guitar Gear - Equipboard Video: The $100 Secret Behind Mac DeMarco's Sound - Reverb [QUESTION] Mac Demarco Guitar Effects - Reddit

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