Riff Tone

(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

The Rolling Stones

Guitarrock1960s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Maestro FZ-1 Fuzz-Tone into Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1959 or 1960, but some sources suggest a Harmony Meteor or Les Paul Custom; the most credible is Les Paul Standard for the studio recording)

Amplikely Fender Twin or Fender Showman (exact model not confirmed in sources, but period-correct and most likely for the Stones' 1965 US sessions)

PickupsGibson PAF humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain4

bass5.5

mid6.5

treble7.5

reverb1

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

fuzzMaestro Maestro FZ-1 Fuzz-Tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1965. Keith Richards used the Maestro FZ-1 Fuzz-Tone pedal for the main riff. The fuzz was used to imitate a horn section. No evidence of additional pedals or amp effects. Guitar is most likely a Gibson Les Paul Standard with PAF humbuckers, as per most credible sources for the original studio recording.

Tone Character(9)

raspy, horn-like fuzzbiting, compressed attackmidrange-forward, honky tonesaturated, buzzy sustaintight, focused riff articulationaggressive, percussive edgedistinctive, nasal fuzz characternotably compressed and clippedno clean blend, all-out fuzz

Difficulty

The riff is rhythmically straightforward but requires tight timing and muting to keep the fuzz articulate and avoid unwanted noise. The main challenge is maintaining clarity and groove with a heavily compressed fuzz tone.