Riff Tone
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
The Beatles
Guitarrock1960s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson J-160E (1964 model, acoustic-electric)
AmpNone (recorded acoustically, no amp used for main riff section)
PickupsSingle-coil (P-90 style, built-in on J-160E, magnetic soundhole pickup)
Amp Settings
gain0
bass2.5
mid3.5
treble4
reverb0
presence2.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1965. The main riff is played by John Lennon on a Gibson J-160E acoustic-electric, mic'd acoustically in the studio. No evidence of amp or pedal use for the riff section. Sitar (played by George Harrison) is present but not relevant to the guitar riff tone.
Tone Character(10)
warm and woodynatural acoustic resonanceclear and articulatefull-bodied strummingfolky and organicunprocessed and drybright but not harshdetailed fingerstyle clarityno amp colorationno effects or artificial sustain
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate skill due to its chord-melody style, 6/8 rhythm, and the need for clarity in both strumming and fingerstyle passages.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1960s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson J-160E (1964 model, acoustic-electric)
AmpNone (recorded acoustically, no amp used for main riff section)
PickupsSingle-coil (P-90 style, built-in on J-160E, magnetic soundhole pickup)
Amp Settings
gain0
bass2.5
mid3.5
treble4
reverb0
presence2.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1965. The main riff is played by John Lennon on a Gibson J-160E acoustic-electric, mic'd acoustically in the studio. No evidence of amp or pedal use for the riff section. Sitar (played by George Harrison) is present but not relevant to the guitar riff tone.
Tone Character(10)
warm and woodynatural acoustic resonanceclear and articulatefull-bodied strummingfolky and organicunprocessed and drybright but not harshdetailed fingerstyle clarityno amp colorationno effects or artificial sustain
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate skill due to its chord-melody style, 6/8 rhythm, and the need for clarity in both strumming and fingerstyle passages.
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