Riff Tone

Superstition

Stevie Wonder

Guitarother1970s

Original Gear

GuitarHohner Clavinet C (keyboard, not guitar) for main riff; no guitar used in original studio riff section

AmpDirect-in or studio preamp for Clavinet; no guitar amp used on original riff

PickupsN/A (keyboard instrument)

Amp Settings

gain1.5

bass3.5

mid3.5

treble3

reverb0.5

presence2.5

Effects & Signal Chain

wahUnknown Wah pedal (model unknown, applied to Clavinet)

Notes

Studio recording, 1972. The iconic riff is played on a Hohner Clavinet C, not guitar. No evidence of guitar used for the main riff in the original studio version. Guitar is only present in later live covers or reinterpretations.

Tone Character(10)

percussive and funkytight and rhythmicbright and bitingwah-filtered keyboard tonesnappy attackarticulate and staccatogroovy and syncopatedkeyboard-based, not guitar-baseddistinctive Clavinet timbredynamic and expressive

Difficulty

The riff is technically demanding due to its syncopated 16th-note funk rhythm, need for precise muting and articulation, and the challenge of maintaining a tight groove on the Clavinet keyboard.

Sources

Finding Perfect Tones in Imperfect Amps - Premier Guitar He started trying to play chords on it... Dissecting the musical magic of Superstition The Clavinet Chronicles: From Modest Keyboard to Funk's - Reverb

This tone has been researched 3 times by the community

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