Riff Tone

When the Sun Goes Down

Arctic Monkeys

Guitarrock2000s

Original Gear

GuitarSquier/Fender Stratocaster (likely 2000s model, as used by Alex Turner on debut album)

AmpVox AC30 (studio recording, 2005 era; Marshall JCM900 also possible, but AC30 most cited for debut album)

PickupsStock single-coil pickups

Amp Settings

gain6

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb1.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 2005. Guitar and amp choice based on multiple forum discussions and period photos. No confirmed pedal use for distortion; amp overdrive likely. No evidence of additional effects in the riff section.

Tone Character(10)

dirty and grittytight and punchybright and cuttingsingle-coil snapmidrange-forward crunchslight amp breakupaggressive pick attackminimal sustainarticulate chord definitionraw indie rock edge

Difficulty

The riff requires fast, aggressive strumming and tight chord changes, but uses straightforward power chords and rhythm, making it accessible to intermediate players.

Sources

pedals for AM? : r/arcticmonkeys what pedals did alex use for the arctic monkeys' first album ...When The Sun Goes Down (Cover) : r/arcticmonkeys Guitars used for When The Sun Goes Down : r/arcticmonkeys

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