Riff Tone

Midnight in Harlem

Tedeschi Trucks Band

Guitarblues2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarGibson SG Standard (early 1960s, likely 1961-1962, original PAF pickups)

AmpFender Super Reverb (blackface, mid-1960s, 4x10 combo)

PickupsGibson PAF humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain4

bass6.5

mid6.5

treble6

reverb4.5

presence5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, original album version (2011). Derek Trucks is known for using his vintage Gibson SG and a Fender Super Reverb for the riff/verse sections of 'Midnight in Harlem.' No evidence of pedals in the signal chain for the riff section; amp reverb is used. Open E tuning. No pick, played fingerstyle. No evidence of live rig or alternate gear for the studio recording.

Tone Character(10)

warm and smoothglassy slide articulationtouch-sensitive responserich sustainclear and bell-like cleansopen and resonantslightly compressed from ampnatural spring reverb ambienceno pedal colorationdynamic fingerstyle attack

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate slide technique, accurate intonation, and expressive fingerstyle dynamics. The open E tuning and clean tone demand control and subtlety, but the tempo and phrasing are accessible to intermediate players.