Riff Tone

London Calling

The Clash

Guitarpunk1970s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Esquire (Joe Strummer's original, heavily modified, single-pickup)

AmpMarshall Super Lead 1959 (100-watt head, likely into Marshall 4x12 cabinet)

PickupsFender single-coil (bridge position, stock Esquire pickup, 1970s era)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb0.5

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1979 (London Calling album sessions). Guitar is Strummer's iconic Esquire, amp is Marshall Super Lead 1959 as confirmed by multiple sources. No evidence of pedal use for clean riff section. Settings estimated based on typical punk/rock clean tones with this amp/guitar pairing.

Tone Character(10)

bright and janglytight and percussiveclear, uncompressed attackraw and directarticulate single notesminimal sustainslightly edgy but cleanno audible reverb or delaydynamic response to pickingclassic punk clarity

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, consistent strumming and dynamic control to maintain clarity and punch, but uses basic chord shapes and straightforward rhythm, making it accessible to most players.

Sources

The Clash Members, Gear & Sound - Equipboard Fender Releases Joe Strummer Esquire & Campfire - Premier Guitar

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