Riff Tone

Hard To Handle

The Black Crowes

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

Guitar1963 Gibson ES-335 (Rich Robinson's main guitar on 'Shake Your Money Maker')

AmpMarshall JTM45 (original or reissue, used in studio for 'Shake Your Money Maker')

PickupsGibson 'Patent Number' humbuckers (original spec for early 60s ES-335s)

Amp Settings

gain6

bass6

mid7

treble6.5

reverb2

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1990. Rich Robinson played the main riff on a 1963 Gibson ES-335 through a Marshall JTM45. No evidence of pedal use on the original studio riff; tone is amp-driven. Pickup selector likely in bridge position for brighter, punchy rhythm. No chorus, delay, or modulation audible in the riff section. All evidence points to a straight guitar-to-amp signal chain for the main riff.

Tone Character(10)

British crunch with open, dynamic responsePunchy, percussive attackBright, articulate top endFull-bodied midrangeClassic rock rhythm toneTouch-sensitive, responds to picking dynamicsNo audible pedal colorationAmp-driven overdriveVintage humbucker clarityNo time-based or modulation effects in riff

Difficulty

The riff is rhythmically punchy and requires precise muting and timing, but uses straightforward chord shapes and moderate tempo, making it accessible to intermediate players.

Sources

Rich Robinson | Equipboard Rig Rundown: The Black Crowes' Rich Robinson - Premier Guitar Rich Robinson’s Sounds of the South - Premier Guitar What pedal for Hard to Handle by the Black Crows? | The Gear Page

This tone has been researched 2 times by the community

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