Riff Tone

Under the Pressure

The War on Drugs

Guitarrock2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarFender American Vintage '57 Stratocaster (with Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Strat Surfer Series middle pickup)

AmpFender '65 Twin Reverb (studio), possibly with Swart STR-Tremolo blended for tremolo effect

PickupsFender single-coil (stock neck/bridge), Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Strat Surfer (middle)

Amp Settings

gain4

bass6

mid6

treble6.5

reverb6.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

tremoloMalekko Malekko Goatkeeper

modulationKeeley Keeley Super Mod Workstation

phaserMXR MXR Phase 90

modulationEventide Eventide H9

overdriveUnknown Overdrive pedal (model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording for 'Under the Pressure' (2013-2014). Guitar is a Stratocaster with low-output single-coils, middle pickup swapped for Seymour Duncan Antiquity II. Amp is primarily a Fender Twin Reverb, with Swart STR-Tremolo possibly used for tremolo texture. Effects are stacked for ambient, modulated textures. Settings estimated based on era, genre, and typical use; no numeric settings found in sources.

Tone Character(10)

lush and modulatedambient and spaceywarm with subtle shimmerslight pitch modulationslow, juicy tremolochorus-rich texturesclean with edge-of-breakup gritharmonic enhancementnot heavily distortedlayered, atmospheric

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate skill due to the need for tight timing with layered modulation effects, maintaining clarity and dynamics while using multiple pedals, and achieving the signature ambient War on Drugs sound.

Sources

The War on Drugs Adam Granduciel & David Hartley Talk Gear - Premier Guitar Sound The War On Drugs : r/guitarpedals

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