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Riff Tone
What's the Frequency, Kenneth? (Radio Version)
R.E.M.
Guitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Jag-Stang (left-handed, played upside-down)
AmpMesa/Boogie Trem-O-Verb 2x12 combo
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass6
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Notes
Studio recording, 1994. Guitar is Kurt Cobain's left-handed Fender Jag-Stang, played upside-down by Peter Buck. Amp is Mesa/Boogie Trem-O-Verb, confirmed by multiple sources for the Monster album sessions. No evidence of other guitars or amps used for the main riff section.
Tone Character(10)
grimy and saturatedmidrange-forwardthrobbing modulation pulseaggressive and percussiveraw, open chord voicingsdynamic and uncompressedbright but not harshfull-bodieddistorted yet clearslightly scooped lows
Difficulty
The riff is rhythmically straightforward but requires tight timing with the tremolo effect, aggressive attack, and clean chord changes to match the song's energy.
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Jag-Stang (left-handed, played upside-down)
AmpMesa/Boogie Trem-O-Verb 2x12 combo
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass6
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1994. Guitar is Kurt Cobain's left-handed Fender Jag-Stang, played upside-down by Peter Buck. Amp is Mesa/Boogie Trem-O-Verb, confirmed by multiple sources for the Monster album sessions. No evidence of other guitars or amps used for the main riff section.
Tone Character(10)
grimy and saturatedmidrange-forwardthrobbing modulation pulseaggressive and percussiveraw, open chord voicingsdynamic and uncompressedbright but not harshfull-bodieddistorted yet clearslightly scooped lows
Difficulty
The riff is rhythmically straightforward but requires tight timing with the tremolo effect, aggressive attack, and clean chord changes to match the song's energy.