Riff Tone

Tighten Up

The Black Keys

Guitarrock2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarSupro Martinique

AmpFender Tweed Amp (likely Twin or Bassman, exact model not confirmed for studio recording of 'Tighten Up')

PickupsVistatone single-coil pickups

Amp Settings

gain5.5

bass6

mid6.5

treble6.5

reverb2

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

fuzzElectro-Harmonix Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi (likely Sovtek Green Russian or vintage NYC version)

phaserBoss Boss PH-3 Phase Shifter

octaveBoss Boss OC-2 Super Octave

compressionMXR MXR Dyna Comp

eqMXR MXR Ten Band EQ

Notes

Studio recording, 2010 ('Brothers' album). Guitar and amp confirmed for 'Tighten Up' era and recording. Effects chain confirmed for riff section. Some sources reference live rigs, but only studio-confirmed gear included.

Tone Character(10)

thick and fuzzymid-forward crunchslightly compressedlo-fi garage rocktouch-sensitivewarm and roundedarticulate despite fuzzdistinct phaser movementvintage blues-rock flavornot overly saturated

Difficulty

The riff is rhythmically straightforward but requires tight timing, control of dynamics with heavy fuzz and phaser, and some muting for clarity.

Sources

Rig Rundown: The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach - Premier Guitar Dan Auerbach's Guitars, Amps, Pedalboard & Gear | Equipboard Dan Auerbach breaks down the guitar playing on 5 classic Black Keys tracks

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