Riff Tone

You're So Last Summer

Taking Back Sunday

Guitarrock2000s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (early 2000s, likely wine red or black finish, as used by John Nolan and Eddie Reyes in studio)

AmpMarshall JCM900 100W Head (studio recording, 2002 era, as seen in live/studio photos and interviews)

PickupsGibson 490R/498T humbuckers (stock Les Paul Standard pickups, high output, ceramic magnet in bridge)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass6

mid6.5

treble7

reverb2

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 2002, Tell All Your Friends album. Both John Nolan and Eddie Reyes tracked rhythm parts; both used Les Pauls into Marshall JCM900s. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the riff section. No confirmed pedal use for distortion—amp gain is primary source. No evidence of effects loop use or additional rack gear for this section.

Tone Character(10)

tight, saturated rhythm crunchaggressive palm-muted power chordsarticulate attack with percussive edgemid-forward, punchy presenceslight top-end sizzlecontrolled low end, not boomymodern post-hardcore gain structureminimal ambience, dry mixno audible modulation or delayclassic Marshall high-gain character

Difficulty

The riff requires moderately fast, tight palm muting and precise alternate picking, but uses standard power chord shapes and straightforward rhythm, making it accessible to intermediate players.

Sources

Taking Back Sunday Gear Guide (Equipboard)Taking Back Sunday - Tell All Your Friends Studio Gear (Gearslutz/GSF)Premier Guitar - Taking Back Sunday Rig Rundown (Live, 2012)

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