Riff Tone

I'm Afraid of Americans V1 (Radio Edit)

David Bowie

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarParker Fly Deluxe (likely, Reeves Gabrels' main guitar for Earthling era sessions)

AmpMesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (likely, based on Gabrels' 1996-97 rig and genre/era)

PickupsDiMarzio custom humbuckers (stock on Parker Fly Deluxe, coil-tap possible)

Amp Settings

gain7

bass6

mid5.5

treble7

reverb1.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

distortionUnknown Distortion pedal (model unknown, likely RAT or Boss DS-1/2 style)

modulationUnknown Modulation pedal (likely flanger or phaser, model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, 1997. Guitarist: Reeves Gabrels. Gear inferred from Earthling-era interviews and Gabrels' known studio rig. No direct source for exact gear on V1 Radio Edit, but Parker Fly and Mesa/Boogie are most probable for riff section. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this studio take.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussiveaggressive and saturatedcompressed attackmodern high-gain edgemechanical, industrial feelprocessed, synthetic overtonesminimal warmthclear note separationslightly scooped midsnot vintage or bluesy

Difficulty

The riff is rhythmically tight and requires precise palm muting and timing to achieve the mechanical, industrial feel, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or complex chord voicings.

Sources

I'm Afraid of Americans - Wikipedia I’m Afraid of Americans | Pushing Ahead of the Dame Potent Pairings: The Sounds of David Bowie

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