Riff Tone

Soul to Squeeze

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

Guitar1962 Fender Stratocaster

AmpMarshall Major (studio recording, 1991-1992)

PickupsFender single-coil pickups (original vintage spec)

Amp Settings

gain4.5

bass6

mid7

treble6.5

reverb3.5

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

compressionMXR MXR Dynacomp

chorusBoss Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble

distortionBoss Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion

Notes

Studio recording for Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991); John Frusciante used his 1962 Stratocaster with single-coil pickups into a Marshall Major head for the heavier, distorted riff sections. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this specific section.

Tone Character(10)

warm and slightly saturateddynamic and touch-sensitiveclear note separationshimmery modulationcrunchy midrangetight low endnot overly compressedpresent but not harsh treblechorus shimmerorganic, open feel

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate skill due to syncopated rhythm, dynamic control, and clean chord voicings under modulation. Not technically advanced, but requires tight timing and feel.

Sources

Soul to Squeeze - guitar tones and amp/pedal settings - Reddit Soul to Squeeze : r/John_Frusciante - Reddit How did John Fruscianti achieve that shimmery element to his clean ...John's guitar on BSSM : r/RedHotChiliPeppers - Reddit

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