Riff Tone
Dramamine
Modest Mouse
Guitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Telecaster (likely 1970s or early 90s, as seen in early Modest Mouse live footage and photos from the era)
AmpFender Super Six Reverb (studio, 1996 recording era; some sources mention Quad Reverb or Blues Jr for live, but Super Six is most likely for the album)
PickupsSingle-coil (Fender Telecaster stock pickups)
Amp Settings
gain4.5
bass6
mid6.5
treble6.5
reverb3.5
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveBoss Boss BD-2 Blues Driver
delayBoss Boss DD-3 Digital Delay
Notes
Studio recording, 1996. Guitar and amp choices are based on period-correct live photos, interviews, and forum consensus. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the riff section in the studio.
Tone Character(10)
slightly gritty edge-of-breakup cleanpercussive attackclear note separationmodest sustaindynamic picking responsebright single-coil claritysubtle ambient delaytouch-sensitive drivenot heavily compressedopen, roomy sound
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate skill due to its syncopated picking, use of natural harmonics, and dynamic control to maintain clarity and articulation with a touch-sensitive, edge-of-breakup tone.
Sources
Replicating Isaac's early guitar tone in Amplitube : r/ModestMouseEarly Modest Mouse Guitar Sound : r/ModestMouse - RedditThese are the amp settings I use for earlier Modest Mouse. I ... - RedditIsaac Brock early guitar tone : r/ModestMouse - RedditYet another Isaac guitar question : r/ModestMouse - Reddit
This tone has been researched 3 times by the community
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Telecaster (likely 1970s or early 90s, as seen in early Modest Mouse live footage and photos from the era)
AmpFender Super Six Reverb (studio, 1996 recording era; some sources mention Quad Reverb or Blues Jr for live, but Super Six is most likely for the album)
PickupsSingle-coil (Fender Telecaster stock pickups)
Amp Settings
gain4.5
bass6
mid6.5
treble6.5
reverb3.5
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveBoss Boss BD-2 Blues Driver
delayBoss Boss DD-3 Digital Delay
Sources
Replicating Isaac's early guitar tone in Amplitube : r/ModestMouseEarly Modest Mouse Guitar Sound : r/ModestMouse - RedditThese are the amp settings I use for earlier Modest Mouse. I ... - RedditIsaac Brock early guitar tone : r/ModestMouse - RedditYet another Isaac guitar question : r/ModestMouse - Reddit
This tone has been researched 3 times by the community
Notes
Studio recording, 1996. Guitar and amp choices are based on period-correct live photos, interviews, and forum consensus. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the riff section in the studio.
Tone Character(10)
slightly gritty edge-of-breakup cleanpercussive attackclear note separationmodest sustaindynamic picking responsebright single-coil claritysubtle ambient delaytouch-sensitive drivenot heavily compressedopen, roomy sound
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate skill due to its syncopated picking, use of natural harmonics, and dynamic control to maintain clarity and articulation with a touch-sensitive, edge-of-breakup tone.
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