Song Rig
Baba O'Riley
Pete Townshend · Who's Next · 1971
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
Opens with synthesiser (Townshend playing ARP in pattern mode) before the guitar enters with a clean, ringing acoustic quality. The electric guitar solo section uses a brighter, more treble-forward Marshall tone than Won't Get Fooled Again.
Signal Chain
- 1Fender Stratocaster (bridge pickup for the electric sections)
- 2Marshall Super Lead 100W
- 3Acoustic guitar (intro overdubs)
Amp Settings
More treble and less gain than the SG setup — Baba O'Riley uses a Strat for a brighter, cutting quality. The acoustic guitar-like synth intro means the electric guitar needs to cut through when it enters.
Technique
How to Play It
The riff pattern in the electric section uses steady eighth-note strumming — the consistency of the rhythm is what makes it hypnotic rather than any complexity in the notes.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Strat bridge pickup + Marshall-voiced amp at lower gain than power chord material. Boss DS-1 into a Fender-style clean amp also works well.
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