Riff Tone

NYC

Interpol

Guitarrock2000s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (1986)

AmpFender Pro Reverb (Blackface, early 1970s)

PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock, likely 490R/498T or similar for era)

Amp Settings

gain3.5

bass5.5

mid7

treble7

reverb1

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

delayBoss Boss DD-5 Digital Delay

overdriveTube Works Tube Works Real Tube Overdrive

reverbAlesis Alesis Microverb

Notes

Studio recording for 'NYC' on 'Turn On The Bright Lights' (2002). Paul Banks used his 1986 Les Paul Custom into a Fender Pro Reverb. Effects were primarily from pedals and rack units, with reverb from an Alesis Microverb rather than the amp's onboard reverb. Settings are estimated based on typical usage and genre, as no direct numeric values are published for this song/section.

Tone Character(10)

dark and atmosphericslightly gritty cleanlush reverb tailexpansive and hauntingshimmering claritysubtle edge-of-breakup drivewarm and woolly low endcutting yet smooth highsmoody and introspectiveopen, airy spatial feel

Difficulty

While the riff is not technically complex, achieving the correct feel and timing with the delay, as well as maintaining the subtle dynamics and clean articulation, requires intermediate control and attention to detail.

Sources

Interpol frontman and guitarist Paul Banks on making Antics Early Days Gear : r/Interpol - Reddit Interpol – Turn On The Bright Lights - Gear & Equipment Used on ...Interpol tone for the casual guitarist: guitar rig guide. - Reddit

This tone has been researched 4 times by the community

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