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Riff Tone
Pumped Up Kicks
Foster the People
Guitarother2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarFender Mustang (likely 1970s reissue, sunburst, as seen in official video and live performances)
AmpFender Hot Rod DeVille (studio recording, as confirmed by producer Paul Epworth in interviews and visible in live setups)
Amp Settings
gain3
bass5.5
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Notes
Studio recording, 2010-2011. Guitarist Mark Foster played the main riff. Gear based on studio photos, interviews, and live rig evidence from the Torches era. No evidence of pedals used for the riff in the studio; effects are subtle and likely from amp or post-processing.
Tone Character(10)
bright and pluckyclean and articulatetight and percussiveslightly compressedminimal sustainsubtle amp reverbno audible overdrivedry, focused attackpop/indie claritydistinct single-coil snap
Difficulty
The riff is rhythmically tight and requires clean, accurate picking, but uses simple fretting and no advanced techniques.
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Create Free AccountGuitarother2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarFender Mustang (likely 1970s reissue, sunburst, as seen in official video and live performances)
AmpFender Hot Rod DeVille (studio recording, as confirmed by producer Paul Epworth in interviews and visible in live setups)
Amp Settings
gain3
bass5.5
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 2010-2011. Guitarist Mark Foster played the main riff. Gear based on studio photos, interviews, and live rig evidence from the Torches era. No evidence of pedals used for the riff in the studio; effects are subtle and likely from amp or post-processing.
Tone Character(10)
bright and pluckyclean and articulatetight and percussiveslightly compressedminimal sustainsubtle amp reverbno audible overdrivedry, focused attackpop/indie claritydistinct single-coil snap
Difficulty
The riff is rhythmically tight and requires clean, accurate picking, but uses simple fretting and no advanced techniques.