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Alternative Rock / Indie Rock2013AM

Do I Wanna Know? Amp Settings

by Arctic Monkeys

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Original Recording Settings

Well-SourcedResearched tone data for "Do I Wanna Know?" by Arctic Monkeys

Original Gear

Guitar
Vox Starstream XII (Model V270) — 1967-68 12-string, semi-hollow teardrop body, manufactured by Eko (Italy) for Vox
Pickups
Vox Ferro Sonic (proprietary Italian-made pickups) (Likely bridge or both — Turner plays close to the bridge for treble-heavy single-note riffs)
Amplifier
Vintage Selmer Zodiac Twin 30 combo (primary) + Magnatone Custom 410 (blended simultaneously)
Channel
Single channel on Selmer
Tuning
Standard E (E-A-D-G-B-E)
Pickup Selector
Estimated: Bridge or both pickups (3-way switch). Not documented by primary source.
Strings
Not documented

James Ford (SoS): 'For rhythm, quite straight, bright and punchy into the Selmer. Sometimes ran that and his old Magnatone at the same time — it has really nice vibrato and reverb. We'd mix those two signals together onto one track.' Both amps miked with Shure SM7s. Guitar parts recorded individually, not simultaneously with other instruments.

Amp Settings

Gain
5.5
Bass
4.5
Mid
5.5
Treble
7.5
Volume
5.5
NO exact amp settings documented in any primary source. Estimated entirely from James Ford's description: 'pretty straight, quite bright and punchy' implies moderate gain, high treble. Much of the distortion comes from the Coopersonic Valveslapper pedal and the Vox Starstream XII's onboard fuzz, not from amp overdrive. The Selmer Zodiac Twin 30 lacks a standard presence control.

Effects Chain

→
Vox Starstream XII built-in fuzz + 'repeater' tremolo circuit
Onboard Guitar Effects
→
Coopersonic Valveslapper Dual-Valve Distortion
Distortion / Fuzz
→
MXR Micro Amp
Boost (possible)
→
0.Vox Starstream XII built-in fuzz + 'repeater' tremolo circuit — CRITICAL to the tone. The onboard fuzz (same circuit as Vox Tone Bender) provides the fuzzy snarl. The 'repeater' circuit produces the subtle tremolo/warble audible on the riff. Producer James Ford confirmed the guitar's built-in effects were key.
1.Coopersonic Valveslapper Dual-Valve Distortion — Credited by Equipboard as the primary distortion for 'Do I Wanna Know?' — confirmed on Turner's pedalboard throughout AM era. Note: Ford has not been quoted naming it specifically for DIWK (he named it for Suck It and See solos).
2.MXR Micro Amp — On pedalboard since 2nd album. May or may not be engaged for this track.

Playing Technique

Slow, deliberate picking with specific articulation on each note. Palm muting on many notes for the 'stomping' feel. Slides into and out of notes (critical to the riff character). Slow, lazy, jazz-influenced vibrato applied selectively. Predominantly downstrokes for consistent attack. Dunlop Tortex Standard 0.50mm picks.

Sources+
  1. NME — James Ford interview (Aug 1, 2013) — confirms Vox Starstream XII, bought 'as a joke,' became inspirational instrument
  2. Sound on Sound — James Ford: Producing Arctic Monkeys (2011) — Selmer + Magnatone setup, SM7 mics, Coopersonic usage
  3. Equipboard.com — Alex Turner gear page — Coopersonic Valveslapper as primary DIWK distortion
  4. Equipboard.com — Jamie Cook gear page
  5. Guitar Lobby — Alex Turner Guitars and Gear — Starstream XII specs
  6. Enmore Audio / Happy Mag — Engineering the Sound: AM — individual guitar tracking, amp details
  7. guitar.com — Arctic Monkeys' 10 Greatest Guitar Moments
  8. Far Out Magazine — Story Behind Alex Turner's Greatest Riff

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