Riff Tone
Tap Out
The Strokes
Guitarrock2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarEpiphone Elitist Riviera (Nick Valensi signature, semi-hollow, likely used for studio recording on 'Tap Out')
AmpFender Hot Rod DeVille (studio, as per band interviews and forum consensus for Comedown Machine era)
PickupsGibson USA P-94 single coil (humbucker-sized P-90 style, stock in Valensi's Riviera)
Amp Settings
gain5
bass5.5
mid6.5
treble7
reverb2.5
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
distortionVisual Sound Visual Sound Jekyll & Hyde Overdrive/Distortion
Notes
Studio recording, 2012-2013 (Comedown Machine sessions). Gear confirmed for this era and song by multiple forum discussions. No evidence of live/touring substitutions for this specific recording.
Tone Character(10)
bright and jangly attacktight, percussive rhythmmid-forward puncharticulate single-coil clarityslightly compressedsemi-hollow resonanceedge-of-breakup driveminimal sustainpresent upper midssnappy pick attack
Difficulty
The riff requires precise, syncopated picking and tight muting for clarity, but does not involve advanced techniques or high speed, making it accessible to intermediate players.
Sources
Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear
Create Free AccountGuitarrock2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarEpiphone Elitist Riviera (Nick Valensi signature, semi-hollow, likely used for studio recording on 'Tap Out')
AmpFender Hot Rod DeVille (studio, as per band interviews and forum consensus for Comedown Machine era)
PickupsGibson USA P-94 single coil (humbucker-sized P-90 style, stock in Valensi's Riviera)
Amp Settings
gain5
bass5.5
mid6.5
treble7
reverb2.5
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
distortionVisual Sound Visual Sound Jekyll & Hyde Overdrive/Distortion
Notes
Studio recording, 2012-2013 (Comedown Machine sessions). Gear confirmed for this era and song by multiple forum discussions. No evidence of live/touring substitutions for this specific recording.
Tone Character(10)
bright and jangly attacktight, percussive rhythmmid-forward puncharticulate single-coil clarityslightly compressedsemi-hollow resonanceedge-of-breakup driveminimal sustainpresent upper midssnappy pick attack
Difficulty
The riff requires precise, syncopated picking and tight muting for clarity, but does not involve advanced techniques or high speed, making it accessible to intermediate players.
More The Strokes tones
- Reptilia · riff
- You Only Live Once · riff
- Is This It · riff
- Someday · riff
- Hard to Explain · riff
- Last Nite · solo
- Reptilia · solo
- Selfless · riff
- At The Door · riff
- Oblivius · solo