Riff Tone

Red

Catfish and the Bottlemen

Guitarrock2010s+

Original Gear

Guitar2002 Gibson Les Paul Custom (double bound, black, with Bigsby, used by Johnny Bondy)

AmpMarshall '87 Plexi head with Orange cab (studio/live era), possible use of Vox AC30C2 by Van McCann (less likely for riff section)

PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock on Les Paul Custom, likely 490R/498T or similar)

Amp Settings

gain6

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb2

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

distortionMXR MXR Custom Badass '78 Distortion

overdriveIbanez Keeley-modded Ibanez Tube Screamer

Notes

Studio recording from 'The Balcony' era (2014). Johnny Bondy played main riffs with the Les Paul Custom through a Marshall Plexi head and Orange cab. Pedalboard included overdrive/distortion pedals, but for riff sections, tone is primarily amp-driven with some pedal boost. No evidence of modulation/time-based effects in riff section.

Tone Character(10)

warm and expansivedynamic overdrivetight and punchy rhythmcrunchy chord attackclassic rock-inspired drivearticulate midrangeslightly compressedpresent but not harsh treblefull-bodied low endbarebones, amp-driven

Difficulty

The riff is rhythmically tight and requires good control of palm muting and dynamics, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or complex chord voicings.

Sources

Catfish and the Bottlemen Members, Gear & Sound Gear Rundown: Catfish And The Bottlemen's Johnny Bond & Van McCann - Mixdown Magazine Catfish And The Bottlemen on The Balcony and 'stinky' guitars | MusicRadar vans guitar tone : r/thebottlemen

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