Riff Tone

Midnight Special

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Guitarrock1960s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (tuned down a whole step to D standard)

AmpKustom K200A-4 (solid-state, 100-watt, built-in vibrato/tremolo, reverb)

PickupsGibson PAF-style humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain4

bass6

mid7

treble6

reverb2

presence4.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1969 (Willy and the Poor Boys album). John Fogerty used the Les Paul Custom tuned to D standard into a Kustom K200A-4 amp. No evidence of pedals; all effects from amp. Settings and effects are for the studio recording, not live.

Tone Character(10)

raw, twangy edgebiting, aggressive tonelow vibrato rumbleclassic gritty rock tonesedge-of-breakup crunchthick, punchy rhythmoscillating tremolo effectbright, clear attackmidrange punchtreble sparkle

Difficulty

The riff requires solid rhythm skills and control over dynamics with the tremolo effect, but uses straightforward chord shapes and moderate tempo.

Sources

John Fogerty: That Old Travelin’ Bone - Premier Guitar John Fogerty on his Creedence Clearwater Revival guitar gear | Guitar World Swampy Midnight Special Chords & Guitar Lesson (CCR)Tone Settings for Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival (guitar and amp) - Guitar Chalk John Fogerty's long-lost amp that was the key to his CCR tone | Guitar World

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