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Riff Tone
Payphone (feat. Wiz Khalifa)
Maroon 5
Guitarrock2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarFender Telecaster (likely American Standard or Deluxe, as used by James Valentine in studio sessions circa 2011-2012)
AmpFender Hot Rod DeVille 212 (studio recording amp for Maroon 5 in this era, known from interviews and session photos)
Amp Settings
gain4
bass5.5
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Notes
Studio recording, 2011-2012. No direct evidence of alternate guitars/amps for the riff section; Telecaster and Fender combo amp are standard for Maroon 5's studio rhythm tones in this period.
Tone Character(10)
bright and articulatetight and percussiveslightly compressedclean with a hint of breakupcrisp attackpresent midssubtle reverb for spaceno audible modulationpop-funk claritydynamic response to picking
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, syncopated rhythm playing with clean articulation and dynamic control, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast passages.
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarFender Telecaster (likely American Standard or Deluxe, as used by James Valentine in studio sessions circa 2011-2012)
AmpFender Hot Rod DeVille 212 (studio recording amp for Maroon 5 in this era, known from interviews and session photos)
Amp Settings
gain4
bass5.5
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 2011-2012. No direct evidence of alternate guitars/amps for the riff section; Telecaster and Fender combo amp are standard for Maroon 5's studio rhythm tones in this period.
Tone Character(10)
bright and articulatetight and percussiveslightly compressedclean with a hint of breakupcrisp attackpresent midssubtle reverb for spaceno audible modulationpop-funk claritydynamic response to picking
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, syncopated rhythm playing with clean articulation and dynamic control, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast passages.