Riff Tone
These Days
R.E.M.
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarRickenbacker 360 (likely 6-string, as used by Peter Buck in mid-1980s studio recordings)
AmpFender Twin Reverb (blackface, mid-1960s model, as used by Peter Buck in studio during Lifes Rich Pageant era)
PickupsRickenbacker Hi-Gain single-coil pickups
Amp Settings
gain3.5
bass5.5
mid6.5
treble7
reverb3
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1986. Gear confirmed for Peter Buck's main studio setup in this era; no evidence of pedal use for this song's riff. No chorus or delay audible. Clean, jangly tone characteristic of Rickenbacker into Fender Twin. No evidence of compression pedal or overdrive for this section.
Tone Character(10)
bright and janglyclean and articulatechime-y highstight and percussive rhythmdynamic strummingshimmering top endopen, airy soundslight spring reverb ambienceno audible overdriveclassic Rickenbacker/Fender Twin pairing
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, steady strumming with clean chord transitions and articulation to maintain the song's bright, jangly character. While not technically advanced, the tempo and clarity demand intermediate skill.
Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear
Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarRickenbacker 360 (likely 6-string, as used by Peter Buck in mid-1980s studio recordings)
AmpFender Twin Reverb (blackface, mid-1960s model, as used by Peter Buck in studio during Lifes Rich Pageant era)
PickupsRickenbacker Hi-Gain single-coil pickups
Amp Settings
gain3.5
bass5.5
mid6.5
treble7
reverb3
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1986. Gear confirmed for Peter Buck's main studio setup in this era; no evidence of pedal use for this song's riff. No chorus or delay audible. Clean, jangly tone characteristic of Rickenbacker into Fender Twin. No evidence of compression pedal or overdrive for this section.
Tone Character(10)
bright and janglyclean and articulatechime-y highstight and percussive rhythmdynamic strummingshimmering top endopen, airy soundslight spring reverb ambienceno audible overdriveclassic Rickenbacker/Fender Twin pairing
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, steady strumming with clean chord transitions and articulation to maintain the song's bright, jangly character. While not technically advanced, the tempo and clarity demand intermediate skill.
More R.E.M. tones
- (Don't Go Back To) Rockville · riff
- Bang and Blame (Remastered) · riff
- Circus Envy (Remastered) · riff
- Crush with Eyeliner · riff
- Driver 8 · riff
- It's the End of the World As We Know It (and I Feel Fine) · riff
- Let Me In (Remastered) · riff
- Losing My Religion · riff
- Superman · riff
- Talk About the Passion · riff