Riff Tone

Gimme Shelter (Remastered 2019)

The Rolling Stones

Guitarrock1960s

Original Gear

GuitarMaton EG240 Supreme

AmpFender Twin Reverb (blackface, late 1960s studio model, with built-in tremolo and spring reverb)

PickupsMaton single coil pickups (stock, 1960s Australian-made)

Amp Settings

gain3.5

bass6

mid7

treble6.5

reverb3.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1969. The original studio version of 'Gimme Shelter' riff was played by Keith Richards on a Maton EG240 Supreme through a Fender Twin Reverb. Tremolo effect is from the amp, not a pedal. No evidence of pedals used for the riff section. Pickup selector likely bridge or bridge+middle, with tone rolled back slightly. No fuzz or overdrive pedal used on the riff.

Tone Character(10)

tremolo-drenchedwarm and hauntingslightly gritty edge-of-breakupswirling, modulated texturerich and syrupyopen and atmosphericnot quite clean, but not crunchydynamic and touch-sensitiveslightly rolled-off highsspacious, with subtle reverb

Difficulty

The riff requires open E tuning, hybrid picking technique, and precise dynamic control to achieve the haunting, modulated sound with tremolo. The strumming and picking technique, along with subtle tone knob adjustments, add to the intermediate-to-advanced challenge.