Psychedelic Rock2015Currents
The Less I Know the Better Amp Settings
by Tame Impala
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Original Recording Settings
partially-sourcedResearched tone data for "The Less I Know the Better" by Tame Impala
Original Gear
- Guitar
- Squier J. Mascis Jazzmaster (w/ Roland GK-3 synth pickup) / 1967 Rickenbacker 335 Jetglo
- Pickups
- Rickenbacker vintage 1967 'toaster' single-coils; Roland GK-3 hexaphonic for synth tracking (neck or middle)
- Amplifier
- No amp — recorded DI through Seymour Duncan KTG-1 King Tone Generator tube preamp
- Channel
- N/A
- Tuning
- whole_step_down
- Pickup Selector
- neck or middle
- Strings
- [ESTIMATED] 10-46 or 11-49 (whole step down tuning)
Kevin Parker records DI through the KTG-1 tube preamp rather than a traditional amplifier. Guitar synth parts use Roland GR-55 Guitar Synthesizer.
Amp Settings
No settings available
No traditional amplifier used. DI through Seymour Duncan KTG-1 tube preamp — settings not documented.
Effects Chain
→
Roland GR-55 Guitar Synthesizer
guitar_synthesizer
→
Electro-Harmonix Small Stone Phaser
phaser
→
Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Reverb
reverb
→
MXR Carbon Copy Delay
delay
→
MXR Dyna Comp
compressor
→
Boss BD-2 Blues Driver
overdrive
→
→Diamond Vibrato
vibrato
1.Roland GR-55 Guitar Synthesizer — Primary tone-shaping tool — generates synth pads and organ textures from guitar input via GK-3 hexaphonic pickup.
2.Electro-Harmonix Small Stone Phaser — Signature phased shimmer on exposed guitar parts.
3.Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Reverb — Hall setting for lush ambient wash.
4.MXR Carbon Copy Delay — Analog delay for warmth and depth.
5.MXR Dyna Comp — Compression for even dynamics.
6.Boss BD-2 Blues Driver — Light overdrive/boost.
7.Diamond Vibrato — Modulation for pitch wobble effect.
Playing Technique
Bass riff improvised in one take; standard picking for synth tracking. Parker uses fingers to remove pick attack for organ-like sounds.
Sources+
- Premier Guitar 'Tame Impala: Psych Wunderkind Kevin Parker' (Aug 2015)
- Guitar World Kevin Parker interview (~2020)
- Sound on Sound 'Tame Impala' (~2020)
- Mixdown Magazine gear rundown
- Equipboard
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