Riff Tone
The Act We Act
Sugar
Guitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster (early 90s, likely American Standard)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (most likely, based on era and genre)
PickupsLace Sensor Blue single coils (all positions)
Amp Settings
gain7
bass6
mid7
treble6.5
reverb0.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1992. Guitar and pickup info confirmed by forum discussion. No direct source for amp, but Marshall JCM800 is widely cited as Bob Mould's main amp for Sugar era. No evidence of pedals or effects beyond amp distortion for the riff section.
Tone Character(10)
thick and saturatedtight and percussivefull-bodied midrangeslight top-end sizzlearticulate chord definitionpunchy and drivingminimal ambienceraw and unprocessedaggressive pick attackdense, layered wall of sound
Difficulty
The riff requires consistent, aggressive downstroke picking and tight palm muting at a medium-fast tempo, but uses straightforward power chords and rhythm patterns.
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster (early 90s, likely American Standard)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (most likely, based on era and genre)
PickupsLace Sensor Blue single coils (all positions)
Amp Settings
gain7
bass6
mid7
treble6.5
reverb0.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1992. Guitar and pickup info confirmed by forum discussion. No direct source for amp, but Marshall JCM800 is widely cited as Bob Mould's main amp for Sugar era. No evidence of pedals or effects beyond amp distortion for the riff section.
Tone Character(10)
thick and saturatedtight and percussivefull-bodied midrangeslight top-end sizzlearticulate chord definitionpunchy and drivingminimal ambienceraw and unprocessedaggressive pick attackdense, layered wall of sound
Difficulty
The riff requires consistent, aggressive downstroke picking and tight palm muting at a medium-fast tempo, but uses straightforward power chords and rhythm patterns.