Riff Tone

Yellow Ledbetter

Pearl Jam

Guitarblues1990s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (1962 reissue, likely American Vintage Series)

AmpFender Twin Reverb (blackface, likely vintage or reissue, as per era and genre conventions; no direct citation for studio amp, but this is the consensus for McCready's clean tones in this era)

PickupsFender single-coil (likely 57/62 or 69 style, as per forum debate, but exact model not confirmed for studio recording)

Amp Settings

gain3.5

bass6

mid6.5

treble6.5

reverb4.5

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveUnknown Overdrive pedal (model unknown, likely Tube Screamer or Blues Driver type)

Notes

Studio recording, 1991-1992 (Ten B-side era). Guitar World and Equipboard confirm McCready used a '62 reissue Strat for 'Yellow Ledbetter'. No direct studio amp confirmation, but Fender Twin Reverb is widely cited for his clean tones on this track. Pickup debate exists (57/62 vs 69), but single-coil Strat is certain.

Tone Character(10)

warm and smoothslightly gritty edge-of-breakupglassy Stratocaster highstouch-sensitive and dynamicopen and airyarticulate single notesbluesy phrasingnot heavily compressedmild amp reverbresponsive to picking dynamics

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate technique due to its use of double stops, slides, and dynamic picking, as well as maintaining a loose shuffle feel and expressive phrasing.

Sources

Pearl Jam – Even Flow - Gear & Equipment Used on the Single | Equipboard Mike McCready breaks down 15 landmark Pearl Jam guitar tracks | Guitar World "Yellow Ledbetter" Pickups | The Gear Page

This tone has been researched 9 times by the community

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