Riff Tone

Iris

Goo Goo Dolls

Guitaralternative rock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarElectric tuned to B-D-D-D-D (Rzeznik routinely uses semi-hollow electrics; Taylor T5-class instruments live). Tim Pierce overdubbed mandolin and electric slide on the studio cut.

AmpMatchless HC-30 set clean (Rzeznik's main studio amp at the time)

PickupsNeck-position humbucker / single-coil for chime + warmth

Amp Settings

gain2

bass5

mid5

treble7

reverb4

presence5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Recorded in 1998 for the City of Angels soundtrack and Dizzy Up the Girl. Rzeznik wrote the song on a 5-string by removing the high E and tuning the remaining strings to B-D-D-D-D, which produces the open-string drones that define the figure. Top session guitarist Tim Pierce overdubbed mandolin and electric slide. The full arrangement also includes a 16-piece string section.

Tone Character(10)

chimey and brightjangly open-string dronecompletely cleanwide plate-style reverbsubtle chorus shimmerpercussive but airy12-string-adjacent sparkle (from mandolin overdub)warm low midslong sustain from open tuningpolished studio ambience

Difficulty

Once retuned to B-D-D-D-D, the chord shapes themselves are simple, but you must commit to retuning (most tabs that use standard tuning sound wrong) and the song depends on the open-string drones ringing cleanly.

Sources

John Rzeznik reveals Goo Goo Dolls' tunings on Iris and more — Guitar World Johnny Rzeznik tells the story behind Goo Goo Dolls' 'Iris' — Guitar Player Iris tuning B-D-D-D-D — Raga Junglism Goo Goo Dolls — Johnny Rzeznik Guitar Rig — Uberproaudio

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