Riff Tone

Ode to Viceroy

Mac DeMarco

Guitarrock2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely Japanese Squier, 1970s style, as used on '2')

AmpFender Twin Reverb (silverface, late 1970s/early 1980s, used in studio for '2')

PickupsFender single-coil Stratocaster pickups

Amp Settings

gain0

bass6

mid6.5

treble6

reverb5.5

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

chorusBoss Boss CE-2 Chorus

vibratoAlesis Alesis Microverb II

delayRoland Roland Space Echo RE-201

Notes

Studio recording for 'Ode to Viceroy' (2012, album '2'). Guitar is a Japanese Squier Stratocaster with stock single-coils. Amp is a Fender Twin Reverb. Effects are primarily pedals and rack units, not amp-based. No evidence of live rig being used for the studio recording.

Tone Character(10)

warm and mellowglassy, clean single-coil sounddreamy, warbly modulationslightly detuned chorus/vibratolush, ambient reverbslapback delay for vintage viberounded top end (tone knob rolled down)subtle dynamic control with pickingno harsh brightnesslo-fi, tape-saturated texture

Difficulty

The riff requires clean, syncopated rhythm playing with precise muting and dynamic control to maintain clarity and match the song's dreamy, modulated feel. Not technically difficult, but requires good timing and touch.

Sources

Mac DeMarco Amp Settings (gear and tone tips) - Guitar Chalk Gear Rundown: Mac DeMarco Ode To Viceroy Guitar Effects? : r/macdemarco - Reddit Mac DeMarco & Mac DeMarco – 2 - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard

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