Riff Tone
Headache
Frank Black
Guitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Telecaster (exact model unknown, likely early 1970s or late 1960s, as used by Frank Black in early-mid 1990s studio recordings)
AmpMarshall JCM800 (most likely, based on era, genre, and Frank Black's known studio use in early 1990s; no direct source for 'Headache' session, but consistent with period and genre)
PickupsSingle-coil (Fender Telecaster stock pickups, model unknown)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb1.5
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
distortionTC Electronic TC Electronic Booster + Line Driver & Distortion
Notes
Studio recording, 1994. Gear inferred from era and Equipboard listing for 1993-1994. No direct photo of 'Headache' session, but Telecaster and Marshall JCM800 are strongly associated with Frank Black's early solo work. TC Electronic Booster + Line Driver & Distortion pedal is confirmed for this era.
Tone Character(10)
bright and bitingcrunchy and mid-forwardtight and percussivearticulate note separationslightly compressedmodest breakup (not high-gain)minimal ambiencedynamic response to pickingpunchy chordsclear, focused rhythm
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, steady strumming and tight rhythm accuracy, but uses straightforward chord shapes and picking, making it accessible to intermediate players.
Sources
Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear
Create Free AccountGuitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Telecaster (exact model unknown, likely early 1970s or late 1960s, as used by Frank Black in early-mid 1990s studio recordings)
AmpMarshall JCM800 (most likely, based on era, genre, and Frank Black's known studio use in early 1990s; no direct source for 'Headache' session, but consistent with period and genre)
PickupsSingle-coil (Fender Telecaster stock pickups, model unknown)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb1.5
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
distortionTC Electronic TC Electronic Booster + Line Driver & Distortion
Sources
Notes
Studio recording, 1994. Gear inferred from era and Equipboard listing for 1993-1994. No direct photo of 'Headache' session, but Telecaster and Marshall JCM800 are strongly associated with Frank Black's early solo work. TC Electronic Booster + Line Driver & Distortion pedal is confirmed for this era.
Tone Character(10)
bright and bitingcrunchy and mid-forwardtight and percussivearticulate note separationslightly compressedmodest breakup (not high-gain)minimal ambiencedynamic response to pickingpunchy chordsclear, focused rhythm
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, steady strumming and tight rhythm accuracy, but uses straightforward chord shapes and picking, making it accessible to intermediate players.