Riff Tone

Velouria

Pixies

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Jazzmaster (likely 1960s model, as used by Joey Santiago on Bossanova sessions)

AmpMarshall JCM800 (studio recording, typical for Pixies' Bossanova era)

PickupsFender Jazzmaster single-coil pickups

Amp Settings

gain5.5

bass6

mid7

treble6.5

reverb2

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveUnknown Overdrive pedal (model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, 1990, Bossanova album. No direct source confirms exact gear for 'Velouria' riff, but period interviews and Pixies' studio photos indicate Jazzmaster into Marshall JCM800 was standard for Joey Santiago on this album.

Tone Character(10)

bright and janglyslightly gritty edgearticulate and percussive attackmodest amp reverbnot fully clean, slight breakupdreamy and atmosphericshimmering highstight low endclear note separationclassic alternative rock shimmer

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, syncopated strumming and careful muting to achieve the signature jangly, percussive Pixies sound, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast tempo.

Sources

[SOTB] Gigging Pedalboard for The Pixies tribute - Reddit The blue album really shows the bands love for the Pixies : r/weezer Bossanova: the Pixies gone beautiful : r/LetsTalkMusic - Reddit

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