Riff Tone

Murder City

Green Day

Guitarpunk2000s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Junior (likely 1956, Billie Joe Armstrong's main studio guitar for 21st Century Breakdown)

AmpMarshall Plexi Super Lead 1959SLP (main studio amp for 21st Century Breakdown)

PickupsSingle P-90 (stock vintage, bridge position)

Amp Settings

gain7

bass6

mid6.5

treble7

reverb1.5

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 2008-2009. Gear based on Billie Joe Armstrong's known studio setup for 21st Century Breakdown. No direct source confirms pedal use for this song's riff; Armstrong is known for running straight into the amp for rhythm parts.

Tone Character(10)

tight and punchyaggressive attackmidrange-forwardcrisp and articulateslightly compresseddry, minimal ambiencepercussive rhythmfast palm mutingclassic Marshall crunchfocused, driving sound

Difficulty

The riff requires fast, aggressive downstrokes and tight palm muting typical of punk, but uses straightforward power chords and rhythm patterns, making it accessible to intermediate players.

Sources

21st Century Breakdown Album by Green Day Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard

This tone has been researched 2 times by the community

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