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Riff Tone

Taxman

The Beatles

Guitarrock1960s

Original Gear

Guitar1964 Gibson SG Standard
AmpVox 7120 (hybrid solid-state preamp/tube power amp, 4x12 Celestion T1225 speakers)

Amp Settings

gain3.5
bass6.5

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Effects & Signal Chain

Notes

Studio recording, 1966. Riff section played by George Harrison. Gear confirmed for studio use on 'Taxman' riff; not live. Some sources speculate about alternate guitars (ES-345, Strat), but SG is most widely cited for the riff. Amp is the Vox 7120, newly acquired by the Beatles for Revolver sessions.

Tone Character(10)
rich crunchy low- to medium-gain drivepercussive attackscratchy treblenasal midrangewarm, muted and unusualBritish crunchtight rhythmmid-heavy punchbiting upper midsnot high-gain, but aggressive for 1966

Difficulty

The riff is rhythmically tight and requires clean muting and articulation, but uses straightforward chord shapes and moderate tempo, making it accessible to intermediate players.

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