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Riff Tone
These Days
R.E.M.
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarRickenbacker 360 (likely 6-string, as used by Peter Buck in mid-1980s studio recordings)
AmpFender Twin Reverb (blackface, mid-1960s model, as used by Peter Buck in studio during Lifes Rich Pageant era)
Amp Settings
gain3.5
bass5.5
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Notes
Studio recording, 1986. Gear confirmed for Peter Buck's main studio setup in this era; no evidence of pedal use for this song's riff. No chorus or delay audible. Clean, jangly tone characteristic of Rickenbacker into Fender Twin. No evidence of compression pedal or overdrive for this section.
Tone Character(10)
bright and janglyclean and articulatechime-y highstight and percussive rhythmdynamic strummingshimmering top endopen, airy soundslight spring reverb ambienceno audible overdriveclassic Rickenbacker/Fender Twin pairing
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, steady strumming with clean chord transitions and articulation to maintain the song's bright, jangly character. While not technically advanced, the tempo and clarity demand intermediate skill.
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarRickenbacker 360 (likely 6-string, as used by Peter Buck in mid-1980s studio recordings)
AmpFender Twin Reverb (blackface, mid-1960s model, as used by Peter Buck in studio during Lifes Rich Pageant era)
Amp Settings
gain3.5
bass5.5
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1986. Gear confirmed for Peter Buck's main studio setup in this era; no evidence of pedal use for this song's riff. No chorus or delay audible. Clean, jangly tone characteristic of Rickenbacker into Fender Twin. No evidence of compression pedal or overdrive for this section.
Tone Character(10)
bright and janglyclean and articulatechime-y highstight and percussive rhythmdynamic strummingshimmering top endopen, airy soundslight spring reverb ambienceno audible overdriveclassic Rickenbacker/Fender Twin pairing
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, steady strumming with clean chord transitions and articulation to maintain the song's bright, jangly character. While not technically advanced, the tempo and clarity demand intermediate skill.