Riff Tone
Size of the Moon
Pinegrove
Guitarrock2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster Electric Guitar
AmpFender Hot Rod Deluxe III
PickupsFender single-coil pickups (stock or era-correct Strat pickups)
Amp Settings
gain4.5
bass6
mid6.5
treble6.5
reverb3.5
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveBoss Boss OS-2 OverDrive/Distortion
Notes
Gear confirmed via Equipboard for Pinegrove's Evan Stephens Hall; the Stratocaster and Hot Rod Deluxe III are visible in live sessions and are the most likely setup for the distorted riff section of 'Size of the Moon'. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the studio recording. Year of recording: 2016 (Cardinal album).
Tone Character(10)
warm and melodiccrunchy but not harshslightly grittyorganic and dynamicarticulate with clear note separationsmall room ambienceexpressive and vibrantnot heavily compressedtouch-sensitive responseinviting and textured
Difficulty
The riff requires moderate rhythmic precision and dynamic control to achieve the expressive, crunchy tone, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or complex chord voicings.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster Electric Guitar
AmpFender Hot Rod Deluxe III
PickupsFender single-coil pickups (stock or era-correct Strat pickups)
Amp Settings
gain4.5
bass6
mid6.5
treble6.5
reverb3.5
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveBoss Boss OS-2 OverDrive/Distortion
Notes
Gear confirmed via Equipboard for Pinegrove's Evan Stephens Hall; the Stratocaster and Hot Rod Deluxe III are visible in live sessions and are the most likely setup for the distorted riff section of 'Size of the Moon'. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the studio recording. Year of recording: 2016 (Cardinal album).
Tone Character(10)
warm and melodiccrunchy but not harshslightly grittyorganic and dynamicarticulate with clear note separationsmall room ambienceexpressive and vibrantnot heavily compressedtouch-sensitive responseinviting and textured
Difficulty
The riff requires moderate rhythmic precision and dynamic control to achieve the expressive, crunchy tone, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or complex chord voicings.