Song Rig

Black

Mike McCready · Ten · 1991

Tone Overview

What Makes This Sound Unique

Pearl Jam's most emotionally devastating ballad — Mike's clean-to-overdriven arc mirrors the song's emotional trajectory. The intro uses a clean, slightly chorus-drenched tone, while the outro solo uses full Fender amp breakup for the sustained, anguished single-note lines that close the track.

Signal Chain

1Fender Stratocaster (1959 or similar vintage model)
2Fender Twin Reverb or Dual Showman (clean and pushed)
3Boss CE-2 Chorus (intro)
4Ibanez Tube Screamer TS-808

Amp Settings

Gain / Volume5

Bass6

Mid7

Treble6

Reverb4

The intro is clean with chorus; the outro solo pushes the amp harder for a warm, breaking-up tone. Mike rarely uses heavy distortion — he prefers the Fender amp's natural breakup for blues-influenced expressiveness.

Technique

How to Play It

Restrained, singing lead for the outro — Mike's Black solo is notable for what he doesn't play. Each phrase has space around it, allowing the notes to sustain and breathe. The emotional weight comes from note choice and vibrato quality, not speed.

Budget Alternative

Achievable With

Stratocaster → Boss CE-2 for intro → Ibanez TS808 into Fender Twin for outro lead → practice slow, deliberate blues-influenced phrasing with wide vibrato on held notes.

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