Riff Tone

Grace

Jeff Buckley

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

Guitar1983 Fender Telecaster (stock, with slightly out-of-phase wiring)

AmpFender Vibroverb '63 Reissue

PickupsFender Telecaster single-coil (stock, but reportedly slightly out-of-phase wiring)

Amp Settings

gain5

bass5.5

mid7

treble7

reverb5

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1994. Buckley used a rented Fender Vibroverb '63 Reissue from S.I.R. Studios for the Grace album sessions because his own Vibroverb was malfunctioning. The Telecaster is confirmed as the main guitar for the riff/distorted sections. No evidence of additional amp or guitar substitutions for the heavy/riff sections.

Tone Character(10)

glassy and bright with clear articulationdynamic and touch-sensitiveslightly out-of-phase shimmermoderate amp breakup (crunch, not high-gain)reverb-drenched, atmosphericpercussive and ringing chordsarticulate attackdistinctive shimmer and clarityopen, airy soundnot compressed or saturated

Difficulty

The riff requires advanced chord shapes, dynamic control to maintain clarity with moderate amp breakup and reverb, and precise rhythmic execution. The unique voicings and articulation make it challenging for most players.