Riff Tone

Fresh Air (2002 Remaster)

Quicksilver Messenger Service

Guitarrock1970s

Original Gear

Guitar1961 Gibson SG

AmpFender Twin Reverb (tube) + Fender Dual Showman (tube) + Standel Bass Amps (solid-state), driving Wurlitzer horns

PickupsGibson PAF humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain4.5

bass6.5

mid7

treble7

reverb4

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

delayMaestro Maestro Echoplex EP-2

Notes

Studio recording, 1970. John Cipollina's elaborate rig for 'Fresh Air' included both Fender tube amps and Standel solid-state amps, with a Maestro Echoplex and Standel Modulux for effects switching. The 1961 Gibson SG was his main guitar for this era and song. All information is specific to the studio recording, not live performances.

Tone Character(10)

bright and articulateslightly overdrivenopen and airy highspunchy low endtouch-sensitiveclear note separationvintage tube warmthpsychedelic shimmerdynamic responsebiting upper mids

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate skill due to its syncopated rhythm, dynamic picking, and need for tight timing with the band, but does not involve advanced soloing or complex chord voicings.

Sources

Quicksilver Messenger Service's John Cipollina: the life and times of an unsung guitar innovator | Guitar World Quicksilver Messenger Service - Fresh Air | The Gear Page

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