Back to CommunityCreate Free Account
Riff Tone
Wave of Mutilation (UK Surf)
Pixies
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Telecaster (likely late 1970s or early 1980s, as used by Joey Santiago on Doolittle sessions)
AmpVox AC30 (as used by Joey Santiago in studio for Doolittle era, including 'Wave of Mutilation (UK Surf)')
Amp Settings
gain4.5
bass5.5
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1989. Gear inferred from Doolittle-era interviews and typical Pixies studio setup. No direct evidence of pedal use for this specific song, but amp overdrive is likely. No evidence of live/touring gear or alternate guitars for this section.
Tone Character(10)
bright and janglyslightly gritty cruncharticulate single-coil attackclear note separationtight and percussive rhythmmodest amp breakupdynamic pick responsetouch of amp reverb for ambiencesurf-inspired clarityno heavy fuzz or high-gain
Difficulty
The riff is rhythmically straightforward and uses basic chord shapes, but requires control of pick attack and timing to achieve the characteristic surf-rock crunch and clarity.
Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear
Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Telecaster (likely late 1970s or early 1980s, as used by Joey Santiago on Doolittle sessions)
AmpVox AC30 (as used by Joey Santiago in studio for Doolittle era, including 'Wave of Mutilation (UK Surf)')
Amp Settings
gain4.5
bass5.5
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1989. Gear inferred from Doolittle-era interviews and typical Pixies studio setup. No direct evidence of pedal use for this specific song, but amp overdrive is likely. No evidence of live/touring gear or alternate guitars for this section.
Tone Character(10)
bright and janglyslightly gritty cruncharticulate single-coil attackclear note separationtight and percussive rhythmmodest amp breakupdynamic pick responsetouch of amp reverb for ambiencesurf-inspired clarityno heavy fuzz or high-gain
Difficulty
The riff is rhythmically straightforward and uses basic chord shapes, but requires control of pick attack and timing to achieve the characteristic surf-rock crunch and clarity.