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Riff Tone
Superstition
Stevie Wonder
Guitarother1970s
Original Gear
GuitarHohner Clavinet C (keyboard, not guitar) for main riff; no guitar used in original studio riff section
AmpDirect-in or studio preamp for Clavinet; no guitar amp used on original riff
Amp Settings
gain1.5
bass3.5
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Notes
Studio recording, 1972. The iconic riff is played on a Hohner Clavinet C, not guitar. No evidence of guitar used for the main riff in the original studio version. Guitar is only present in later live covers or reinterpretations.
Tone Character(10)
percussive and funkytight and rhythmicbright and bitingwah-filtered keyboard tonesnappy attackarticulate and staccatogroovy and syncopatedkeyboard-based, not guitar-baseddistinctive Clavinet timbredynamic and expressive
Difficulty
The riff is technically demanding due to its syncopated 16th-note funk rhythm, need for precise muting and articulation, and the challenge of maintaining a tight groove on the Clavinet keyboard.
This tone has been researched 3 times by the community
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Create Free AccountGuitarother1970s
Original Gear
GuitarHohner Clavinet C (keyboard, not guitar) for main riff; no guitar used in original studio riff section
AmpDirect-in or studio preamp for Clavinet; no guitar amp used on original riff
Amp Settings
gain1.5
bass3.5
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
This tone has been researched 3 times by the community
Notes
Studio recording, 1972. The iconic riff is played on a Hohner Clavinet C, not guitar. No evidence of guitar used for the main riff in the original studio version. Guitar is only present in later live covers or reinterpretations.
Tone Character(10)
percussive and funkytight and rhythmicbright and bitingwah-filtered keyboard tonesnappy attackarticulate and staccatogroovy and syncopatedkeyboard-based, not guitar-baseddistinctive Clavinet timbredynamic and expressive
Difficulty
The riff is technically demanding due to its syncopated 16th-note funk rhythm, need for precise muting and articulation, and the challenge of maintaining a tight groove on the Clavinet keyboard.