Riff Tone

Still Beating

Mac DeMarco

Guitarother2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely Japanese or Squier, 1970s style, as used by Mac DeMarco in this era)

AmpFender Silverface Vibro Champ (1970s, studio recording amp for 'This Old Dog' era, also possibly Fender Silverface Twin Reverb for some tracks)

PickupsSingle-coil (stock Stratocaster pickups, likely ceramic or alnico V)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass6

mid6

treble6.5

reverb5.5

presence5

Effects & Signal Chain

chorusBoss Boss CE-2 Chorus (or similar chorus/vibrato pedal, model not confirmed)

Notes

Studio recording, 2016-2017 ('This Old Dog' album era). Mac is known to use the Vibro Champ for home recordings and the Twin Reverb for live and some studio work. No direct evidence for pedals on this track, but chorus/vibrato is a signature part of his sound. No evidence of amp overdrive or distortion; clean amp settings. All settings estimated based on typical Mac DeMarco studio setup for this era and genre.

Tone Character(10)

clean and shimmerywarm and slightly compressedsubtle chorus/vibrato modulationarticulate and bell-likelush, dreamy texturegentle attackspringy reverb tailsoft, dynamic pickinglo-fi indie characterno audible overdrive

Difficulty

The riff is accessible for most players but requires precise, clean picking and subtle muting to achieve the signature dreamy, modulated tone. The chord shapes are not complex, but the feel and dynamics are critical.