Riff Tone

The Pretender

Foo Fighters

Guitarrock2000s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson ES-335 (studio recording, clean section likely overdubbed with semi-hollow or similar, Explorer-style also possible per Guitar Chalk, but ES-335 specifically recommended for studio clean tones)

AmpVox AC30 (used for clean tones in studio per multiple sources, including Equipboard and Ultimate-Guitar Wiki)

PickupsGibson humbuckers (ES-335 stock or similar, likely 57 Classics or Burstbuckers)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass5.5

mid5.5

treble7

reverb1.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

compressionUrei Compressor (studio rackmount, Urei 1176 or similar)

delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown, likely analog or tape-style)

Notes

Studio recording, 2007 (Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace). Clean intro/verse sections tracked with Vox AC30 for clean tone; Mesa/Boogie Rectifier used for distorted sections. ES-335 recommended for studio clean tone by Guitar Chalk; Explorer-style also mentioned but ES-335 more likely for clean. Pickup selector likely bridge or middle position for clarity. No evidence of live rig for clean section.

Tone Character(10)

bright and articulateclear and percussive attackslightly compressedambient and spacioustight low endpresent upper midscrisp highsdynamic responsesubtle room ambienceclean, not sterile

Difficulty

The clean riff requires tight, syncopated picking and precise muting to maintain clarity at a fast tempo, but does not involve advanced techniques or complex chord voicings.

Sources

Tone Settings for The Pretender by Foo Fighters (guitar and amp) - Guitar Chalk Dave Grohl's Guitar Rig, Gear & Pedalboard | Equipboard Foo Fighters - The Pretender | Wiki @ Ultimate-Guitar.com Dave Grohl's Guitar Rig, Gear & Pedalboard | Equipboard

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