Riff Tone
The Well
Marcus King
Guitarblues2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarGibson ES-345 (vintage, likely 1960s, semi-hollow, stereo wiring, stop tailpiece)
Amp1965 Fender Super Reverb (modded with Weber Blue Back speakers)
PickupsGibson humbuckers (likely original PAF-style, vintage spec)
Amp Settings
gain4.5
bass5.5
mid8
treble6.5
reverb3.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer
Notes
Studio recording for 'The Well' (from 2020's 'El Dorado'), produced by Dan Auerbach. Marcus King is confirmed to use his ES-345 and Super Reverb for core riff tones in the studio. Tube Screamer is always on as a master volume/boost. Settings are for studio, not live.
Tone Character(10)
mid-forward and vocalwarm and thickedge-of-breakup crunchtouch-sensitivearticulate pick attackdynamic and expressivesinging sustainslightly compressedtight, punchy lowsclassic blues-rock bite
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate to advanced blues-rock technique, with dynamic picking, muting, and expressive phrasing to achieve the signature Marcus King sound. The edge-of-breakup tone demands careful right-hand control.
Sources
Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear
Create Free AccountGuitarblues2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarGibson ES-345 (vintage, likely 1960s, semi-hollow, stereo wiring, stop tailpiece)
Amp1965 Fender Super Reverb (modded with Weber Blue Back speakers)
PickupsGibson humbuckers (likely original PAF-style, vintage spec)
Amp Settings
gain4.5
bass5.5
mid8
treble6.5
reverb3.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer
Notes
Studio recording for 'The Well' (from 2020's 'El Dorado'), produced by Dan Auerbach. Marcus King is confirmed to use his ES-345 and Super Reverb for core riff tones in the studio. Tube Screamer is always on as a master volume/boost. Settings are for studio, not live.
Tone Character(10)
mid-forward and vocalwarm and thickedge-of-breakup crunchtouch-sensitivearticulate pick attackdynamic and expressivesinging sustainslightly compressedtight, punchy lowsclassic blues-rock bite
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate to advanced blues-rock technique, with dynamic picking, muting, and expressive phrasing to achieve the signature Marcus King sound. The edge-of-breakup tone demands careful right-hand control.
More Marcus King tones
- Delilah · solo
- Good and Gone · riff
- Hard Working Man · solo
- Mood Swings · riff
- Wildflowers & Wine · riff