Riff Tone

You Know We Can't Go Back

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

Guitarrock2010s+

Original Gear

Guitar1960 Gibson ES-355

AmpHiwatt Custom 50 with 2x12 speaker cabinets

PickupsGibson PAF-style humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain5

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb3

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

distortionFriedman Friedman BE-OD Deluxe

overdriveIbanez Ibanez Tube Screamer (exact model unknown, likely TS808 or modded TS9)

reverbStrymon Strymon Flint (Reverb side, possibly Tremolo side)

Notes

Studio recording, 2014-2015 (Chasing Yesterday sessions). Gear confirmed as used by Noel Gallagher in this era, but no direct source ties this exact guitar/amp to this specific riff in 'You Know We Can't Go Back'. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the riff section.

Tone Character(10)

bright and articulatechiming upper midsopen, ringing chordstight and punchy attackslight breakup with clarityclassic British crunchfull-bodied midrangepresent but not harsh trebledynamic response to pickingwarm, vintage character

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, syncopated strumming and dynamic control, but uses standard chord shapes and moderate tempo, making it accessible to intermediate players.

Sources

Noel Gallagher: High Flying Birdman - Premier Guitar

This tone has been researched 3 times by the community

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