Riff Tone

I Feel Fine

The Beatles

Guitarrock1960s

Original Gear

Guitar1964 Gibson J-160E

Amp1964 Vox AC100 head with 4x12 cabinet (Celestion T1088 speakers, Goodmans Midax horns)

PickupsGibson P-90 single-coil (neck position, under top)

Amp Settings

gain4

bass5.5

mid7.5

treble8

reverb1

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1964. Lennon played the main riff on his J-160E with the P-90 pickup. The amp was a Vox AC100, cranked for edge-of-breakup. No pedals or external effects confirmed for the riff. Flatwound Pyramid Gold strings (.012-.052) likely used. The distinctive feedback at the intro was created by the guitar and amp, not a pedal.

Tone Character(10)

organ-like timbrepercussive attacknasal midrangescratchy trebledistinctive feedback introsmooth and roundednot high gainmidrangey rhythmslightly compressedwarm but with edge

Difficulty

The riff is rhythmically syncopated and requires tight muting and control of feedback, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast playing.

Sources

The Beatles' guitars & amps: what they played on every album | Guitar World The Beatles amplifier settings (specifically John's) - forum topic | Ultimate Guitar Get a Beatles Style Tone with AMPED 1 - Blackstar The Beatles "I Feel Fine" Tone | Guitar Forum

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