Riff Tone

Expectation

Tame Impala

Guitarrock2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely Japanese or Mexican, as used by Kevin Parker on InnerSpeaker era recordings)

AmpVox AC30H2 combo (studio recording, as confirmed for InnerSpeaker era)

PickupsFender single-coil Strat pickups

Amp Settings

gain6

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb4.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveBoss Boss BD-2 Blues Driver

phaserElectro-Harmonix Electro-Harmonix Small Stone Phaser

vibratoDiamond Diamond Vibrato

compressionMXR MXR Dyna Comp

reverbElectro-Harmonix Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Reverb

Notes

Studio recording, 2010 (InnerSpeaker era). Kevin Parker is known to record direct or through amp sims at times, but for the main riff/distorted sections, sources and pedalboard photos indicate use of a Stratocaster into a Vox AC30H2 with a pedalboard including Blues Driver, Small Stone Phaser, Diamond Vibrato, and EHX Holy Grail Reverb. Pedal order and settings are based on multiple pedalboard photos and forum consensus for this song/era.

Tone Character(10)

fuzzy and saturatedswirling phaser movementcompressed and punchythick, harmonically richpsychedelic and modulatedpronounced midrangespacious reverbvibrato shimmercranked overdrive/fuzzdense, layered sound

Difficulty

The riff requires tight rhythmic playing with heavy fuzz and modulation, demanding control over dynamics and effect interaction, but does not involve advanced lead techniques.

Sources

Tame Impala “Expectation” tone : r/guitarpedals - Reddit What Pedals do I need for the guitar sound in Expectation? - Reddit Tame Impala: Psych Wunderkind Kevin Parker - Premier Guitar Tame Impala Pedals Guide : r/TameImpala - Reddit

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