Riff Tone
Return of the Rat
Wipers
Guitarpunk1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson SG Standard (likely 1970s, as seen in era photos and interviews)
AmpAmpeg VT-40 (confirmed by official Wipers site and interviews for 'Is This Real?')
PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock, late 1970s/early 1980s spec)
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass5.5
mid7
treble7
reverb0
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
distortionMXR MXR Distortion+
Notes
Studio recording, 1979-1980 for 'Is This Real?'. Greg Sage used Ampeg VT-40 amps and his own DIY gear. For the main riff, the SG and Ampeg are most consistently cited. No evidence of live/touring substitutions for the original recording.
Tone Character(10)
chuggy, feedback-lacedwall of soundchunky, driving rhythm toneraw, aggressive attacktight, percussive riffingmid-forward, dry 'grunge' type tonechewy, dynamic overdrivefuzz-like saturationcutting, biting edgeminimal sustain, fast decay
Difficulty
The riff is fast and requires consistent, aggressive picking and tight rhythm, but uses straightforward power chords and punk techniques.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarpunk1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson SG Standard (likely 1970s, as seen in era photos and interviews)
AmpAmpeg VT-40 (confirmed by official Wipers site and interviews for 'Is This Real?')
PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock, late 1970s/early 1980s spec)
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass5.5
mid7
treble7
reverb0
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
distortionMXR MXR Distortion+
Notes
Studio recording, 1979-1980 for 'Is This Real?'. Greg Sage used Ampeg VT-40 amps and his own DIY gear. For the main riff, the SG and Ampeg are most consistently cited. No evidence of live/touring substitutions for the original recording.
Tone Character(10)
chuggy, feedback-lacedwall of soundchunky, driving rhythm toneraw, aggressive attacktight, percussive riffingmid-forward, dry 'grunge' type tonechewy, dynamic overdrivefuzz-like saturationcutting, biting edgeminimal sustain, fast decay
Difficulty
The riff is fast and requires consistent, aggressive picking and tight rhythm, but uses straightforward power chords and punk techniques.