Riff Tone

Just Got to Be

The Black Keys

Guitarrock2000s

Original Gear

GuitarHarmony H78 (vintage semi-hollow, stock DeArmond gold foil pickups)

AmpFender Silverface Twin Reverb (1970s, likely studio version)

PickupsDeArmond gold foil single coils

Amp Settings

gain6

bass6.5

mid6.5

treble6.5

reverb1

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

fuzzElectro-Harmonix Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi (likely NYC or Russian variant, or similar vintage fuzz)

Notes

Studio recording, 2006 (Magic Potion album). Dan Auerbach is known to have used the Harmony H78 and a Fender Twin Reverb for Magic Potion-era recordings. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for this specific song's riff section. Live rigs vary, but this is the most cited studio setup.

Tone Character(10)

fuzzy and saturatedmid-scooped but with bitefat and rawaggressive attacklo-fi garage rock edgeslightly compresseddynamic and touch-sensitivegritty and thickvintage fuzz grainsustaining power chords

Difficulty

The riff is rhythmically straightforward but requires tight timing, heavy attack, and control of fuzz dynamics to avoid muddiness.

Sources

My process for getting old school Black Keys tones : r/TheBlackKeys Dan Auerbach's Guitars, Amps, Pedalboard & Gear | Equipboard Dan Auerbach's Effects Pedals | Equipboard

This tone has been researched 3 times by the community

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