Riff Tone

The Summer Ends

American Football

Guitarother1990s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Jazzmaster (exact model unknown, likely late 90s MIJ/CIJ or vintage reissue, as used by Mike Kinsella and Steve Holmes on the debut album)

AmpMarshall Valvestate 8080 (Steve Holmes, confirmed for first album rhythm/riff sections)

PickupsFender Jazzmaster single coil pickups

Amp Settings

gain3.5

bass6

mid6.5

treble7

reverb3

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1998-1999. Steve Holmes used a Marshall Valvestate 8080 for the first American Football LP, specifically for rhythm/riff sections. Mike Kinsella used a Fender '65 Twin Reverb, but Holmes' parts are the main riff. No evidence of pedal use for the riff section; clean to edge-of-breakup amp tone. No explicit pickup selector info, but Jazzmaster neck or middle position is typical for this sound.

Tone Character(10)

clean and glassyslight edge-of-breakup on strong strumschiming, bell-like highsopen and airydynamic and touch-sensitivewarm but clear low endclear note separationmodest amp reverb for spaceno audible modulation or delayarticulate, ringing chords

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate skill due to intricate chord shapes, syncopated picking, and dynamic control to maintain clarity and articulation in a clean/edge-of-breakup tone.

Sources

American Football - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album

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