Riff Tone

Ten Million Slaves

Otis Taylor

Guitarblues2000s

Original Gear

GuitarBlue Star Banjo Blaster (custom electric banjo-style guitar)

AmpUnknown model (not specified in sources; likely small tube combo amp typical for Otis Taylor's studio work in this era)

PickupsThree chrome-coated single-coil pickups (model unknown)

Amp Settings

gain4

bass6.5

mid7

treble6

reverb2.5

presence5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 2007 (from the album 'Recapturing the Banjo'). Otis Taylor states he uses the Blue Star Banjo Blaster with all pickups set to the bridge position for a deeper sound. No pedals or stompboxes used; cable runs straight to amp. No evidence of effects loop or additional processing. Settings estimated based on genre, era, and artist's stated preferences.

Tone Character(10)

deep and resonantpercussive attacktouch-sensitive dynamicsorganic and rawslight amp breakuprootsy trance-blues feelclean with edge-of-breakup crunchminimal sustainfocused midrangewoody, earthy timbre

Difficulty

The riff is rhythmically hypnotic with syncopated strumming and requires tight muting and groove, but does not involve advanced chord shapes or fast lead work.

Sources

Otis Taylor: Music for Ghosts - Premier Guitar

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