Riff Tone
Ironic
Alanis Morissette
Guitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarAcoustic guitar (exact model not specified, likely Gibson or Taylor based on era/session standards)
AmpDirect Input (DI) or studio preamp (no electric amp used for acoustic riff section)
PickupsPiezo or internal mic (typical for 1990s acoustic studio recording, exact model not specified)
Amp Settings
gain3
bass5.5
mid6
treble6.5
reverb3.5
presence5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1995. Jason Orme (Alanis Morissette's guitarist) states he played acoustic on 'Ironic' riff. No evidence of electric guitar or amp for the main riff section. Live rigs mention Les Paul and Marshall, but not for this studio acoustic part.
Tone Character(10)
bright and articulatenatural and unprocessedclear strummed chordswarm midrangeslightly scooped lowssubtle studio reverbpresent and opendynamic response to strummingno audible distortionorganic acoustic timbre
Difficulty
The riff is based on open chords and straightforward strumming, but requires steady timing and dynamic control to support the vocal melody.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarAcoustic guitar (exact model not specified, likely Gibson or Taylor based on era/session standards)
AmpDirect Input (DI) or studio preamp (no electric amp used for acoustic riff section)
PickupsPiezo or internal mic (typical for 1990s acoustic studio recording, exact model not specified)
Amp Settings
gain3
bass5.5
mid6
treble6.5
reverb3.5
presence5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1995. Jason Orme (Alanis Morissette's guitarist) states he played acoustic on 'Ironic' riff. No evidence of electric guitar or amp for the main riff section. Live rigs mention Les Paul and Marshall, but not for this studio acoustic part.
Tone Character(10)
bright and articulatenatural and unprocessedclear strummed chordswarm midrangeslightly scooped lowssubtle studio reverbpresent and opendynamic response to strummingno audible distortionorganic acoustic timbre
Difficulty
The riff is based on open chords and straightforward strumming, but requires steady timing and dynamic control to support the vocal melody.