Riff Tone
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Stephen Stills
Guitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster (Eric Clapton's 1970 black Stratocaster, likely maple neck, stock single-coil pickups)
AmpMarshall 100-watt Super Lead head (Plexi, late '60s/early '70s, likely with 4x12 cabinet)
PickupsFender single-coil (stock 1970 Stratocaster pickups)
Amp Settings
gain5.5
bass6.5
mid7
treble6.5
reverb1.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1970. Eric Clapton played the main riff section on Stephen Stills' debut album. No evidence of pedals; likely straight into Marshall. No evidence of live rig for this song. No evidence of effects loop or outboard effects for riff section.
Tone Character(10)
British crunch with classic Marshall bitepunchy, mid-forward rhythm toneclear single-coil articulationslightly compressed, touch-sensitive responseno audible reverb or delaytight, percussive attackwarm but not overly saturateddynamic, responds to picking intensityvintage Stratocaster clarityno modulation or time-based effects
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate-level control of rhythm, dynamics, and touch to achieve the punchy, crunchy tone and groove, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast passages.
Sources
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Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster (Eric Clapton's 1970 black Stratocaster, likely maple neck, stock single-coil pickups)
AmpMarshall 100-watt Super Lead head (Plexi, late '60s/early '70s, likely with 4x12 cabinet)
PickupsFender single-coil (stock 1970 Stratocaster pickups)
Amp Settings
gain5.5
bass6.5
mid7
treble6.5
reverb1.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1970. Eric Clapton played the main riff section on Stephen Stills' debut album. No evidence of pedals; likely straight into Marshall. No evidence of live rig for this song. No evidence of effects loop or outboard effects for riff section.
Tone Character(10)
British crunch with classic Marshall bitepunchy, mid-forward rhythm toneclear single-coil articulationslightly compressed, touch-sensitive responseno audible reverb or delaytight, percussive attackwarm but not overly saturateddynamic, responds to picking intensityvintage Stratocaster clarityno modulation or time-based effects
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate-level control of rhythm, dynamics, and touch to achieve the punchy, crunchy tone and groove, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast passages.