Riff Tone
The Wherewithal
The Tragically Hip
Guitarrock1990s
Original Gear
Guitar1970s Fender Stratocaster (mocha brown, likely American Vintage or original 1970s model)
AmpMesa Boogie Mark IV
PickupsFender single-coil Stratocaster pickups (stock 1970s type)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6
mid7
treble6.5
reverb3
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1994 (Day for Night album). Guitarist Rob Baker is confirmed to use the 1970s Stratocaster on this era's recordings. Mesa Boogie Mark IV is the most cited amp for Hip studio tones of this period. No evidence of live/touring substitutions for this song's riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and punchymid-forward cruncharticulate Stratocaster attackslightly compressedclear note separationnot overly saturateddynamic response to pickingpercussive and aggressivewarm but with biteamp-driven overdrive
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate-level control of palm muting, tight rhythm, and dynamic picking to achieve the punchy, articulate crunch heard in the recording.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1990s
Original Gear
Guitar1970s Fender Stratocaster (mocha brown, likely American Vintage or original 1970s model)
AmpMesa Boogie Mark IV
PickupsFender single-coil Stratocaster pickups (stock 1970s type)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6
mid7
treble6.5
reverb3
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1994 (Day for Night album). Guitarist Rob Baker is confirmed to use the 1970s Stratocaster on this era's recordings. Mesa Boogie Mark IV is the most cited amp for Hip studio tones of this period. No evidence of live/touring substitutions for this song's riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and punchymid-forward cruncharticulate Stratocaster attackslightly compressedclear note separationnot overly saturateddynamic response to pickingpercussive and aggressivewarm but with biteamp-driven overdrive
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate-level control of palm muting, tight rhythm, and dynamic picking to achieve the punchy, articulate crunch heard in the recording.
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