Riff Tone

The Worst

Polyphia

Guitarother2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarIbanez RG (likely RG652 or similar, as used by Tim Henson in early Polyphia recordings)

AmpUnknown model (likely digital amp sim or clean solid-state amp; no evidence of a specific amp model for the studio recording)

PickupsDiMarzio Ionizer (HSS configuration, single coil for clean sections)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass5.5

mid5

treble7

reverb3

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 2017-2018 era. No official rig rundown or studio notes found for the clean riff section. Tim Henson is known for using Ibanez RG guitars with DiMarzio Ionizer pickups during this period. Amp is likely a clean digital modeler or clean solid-state amp, as Polyphia often used amp sims and digital rigs in the studio. No evidence of live rig or tube amp for this part.

Tone Character(10)

crystal-clear and bell-likebright and articulatetight and percussive attackvery low gain, no breakupslight ambient reverbmodern and hi-fisnappy transient responseexcellent note separationno audible compression or sustainno modulation or time-based effects

Difficulty

The clean riff in 'The Worst' is technically demanding due to its fast, syncopated fingerstyle passages, hybrid picking, and the need for precise articulation and timing. The part requires advanced right-hand technique and tight rhythmic control.