Riff Tone
What's the Frequency, Kenneth? (Radio Version)
R.E.M.
Guitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Jag-Stang (left-handed, played upside-down)
AmpMesa/Boogie Trem-O-Verb 2x12 combo
PickupsFender Jag-Stang single-coil (bridge position, likely stock or standard Jag-Stang single-coil)
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb2
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
tremoloUnknown Tremolo pedal (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, 1994. Guitar is Kurt Cobain's left-handed Fender Jag-Stang, played upside-down by Peter Buck. Amp is Mesa/Boogie Trem-O-Verb, confirmed by multiple sources for the Monster album sessions. No evidence of other guitars or amps used for the main riff section.
Tone Character(10)
grimy and saturatedmidrange-forwardthrobbing modulation pulseaggressive and percussiveraw, open chord voicingsdynamic and uncompressedbright but not harshfull-bodieddistorted yet clearslightly scooped lows
Difficulty
The riff is rhythmically straightforward but requires tight timing with the tremolo effect, aggressive attack, and clean chord changes to match the song's energy.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Jag-Stang (left-handed, played upside-down)
AmpMesa/Boogie Trem-O-Verb 2x12 combo
PickupsFender Jag-Stang single-coil (bridge position, likely stock or standard Jag-Stang single-coil)
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb2
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
tremoloUnknown Tremolo pedal (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, 1994. Guitar is Kurt Cobain's left-handed Fender Jag-Stang, played upside-down by Peter Buck. Amp is Mesa/Boogie Trem-O-Verb, confirmed by multiple sources for the Monster album sessions. No evidence of other guitars or amps used for the main riff section.
Tone Character(10)
grimy and saturatedmidrange-forwardthrobbing modulation pulseaggressive and percussiveraw, open chord voicingsdynamic and uncompressedbright but not harshfull-bodieddistorted yet clearslightly scooped lows
Difficulty
The riff is rhythmically straightforward but requires tight timing with the tremolo effect, aggressive attack, and clean chord changes to match the song's energy.
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