Riff Tone
The Pusher
Steppenwolf
Guitarrock1960s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson ES-335 (likely, based on era and Steppenwolf's known gear for first album)
AmpFender Bassman (likely, based on Steppenwolf's typical studio amps for first album; no explicit source for The Pusher, but consistent with period and tone)
PickupsHumbuckers (Gibson PAF-style)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6.5
mid7
treble6.5
reverb3
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
fuzzVox or Distorto Vox Tone Bender V828 (MK1.5) or Distorto Fuzz (Maestro FZ-1 clone)
Notes
Studio recording, 1967-1968. Gear inferred from Steppenwolf's first album sessions and period-correct fuzz pedals. No direct photo or interview confirmation for this exact song, but forum and Equipboard consensus points to this setup.
Tone Character(10)
fuzz-laden sustainthick and saturatedraw, biting attackmid-heavy voicingwarm but cuttinggritty, compressed sustainvintage fuzz colorationslightly loose low endclassic rock crunchdirty amp with reverb
Difficulty
The riff is rhythmically straightforward but requires careful control of fuzz dynamics and articulation of hammer-ons and dead notes to maintain clarity.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1960s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson ES-335 (likely, based on era and Steppenwolf's known gear for first album)
AmpFender Bassman (likely, based on Steppenwolf's typical studio amps for first album; no explicit source for The Pusher, but consistent with period and tone)
PickupsHumbuckers (Gibson PAF-style)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6.5
mid7
treble6.5
reverb3
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
fuzzVox or Distorto Vox Tone Bender V828 (MK1.5) or Distorto Fuzz (Maestro FZ-1 clone)
Notes
Studio recording, 1967-1968. Gear inferred from Steppenwolf's first album sessions and period-correct fuzz pedals. No direct photo or interview confirmation for this exact song, but forum and Equipboard consensus points to this setup.
Tone Character(10)
fuzz-laden sustainthick and saturatedraw, biting attackmid-heavy voicingwarm but cuttinggritty, compressed sustainvintage fuzz colorationslightly loose low endclassic rock crunchdirty amp with reverb
Difficulty
The riff is rhythmically straightforward but requires careful control of fuzz dynamics and articulation of hammer-ons and dead notes to maintain clarity.
More Steppenwolf tones
- Born to Be Wild · riff
- Born to Be Wild · distorted
- Born to Be Wild · solo
- Magic Carpet Ride · riff