Riff Tone

Let It Happen

Tame Impala

Guitarrock2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarHagström Impala

AmpVox AC30 (likely standard, not hand-wired, as per studio photos/interviews)

PickupsHagström single coils (stock, 1960s-style)

Amp Settings

gain5

bass6

mid6.5

treble6.5

reverb3

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

otherUnknown Pitch Shifter (octave down, model unknown)

fuzzUnknown Fuzz pedal (model unknown, likely 70s-style fuzz)

compressionUnknown Compressor pedal (model unknown, possibly MXR Dyna Comp)

phaserUnknown Phaser pedal (model unknown, possibly Electro-Harmonix Small Stone)

Notes

Studio recording, 2015, for 'Let It Happen' riff section. Kevin Parker is known to record most guitars himself, often DI or with minimal miking, but for this track, evidence and interviews point to Hagström Impala into a Vox AC30 with a pedalboard. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the riff section.

Tone Character(9)

synth-like octave-down thicknessfuzzy and compressed rhythmdarkened top-endpunchy and percussive attackmodulated, swirling undertonespsychedelic, layered soundscapetight and focused riffingslight crumble to low endnotably synthetic, almost bass-like timbre

Difficulty

The riff is moderately challenging due to its syncopated rhythm, need for tight timing, and the requirement to control dynamics and effects for the signature sound.

Sources

Took a swing at the Let it Happen guitar riff : r/TameImpala Tame Impala - Let it Happen Guitar Riff (Tone help) : r/BossKatana Kevin Parker | Equipboard How do I get the thick bass sound from Tame Impala's "Let it Happen ...

This tone has been researched 26 times by the community

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