Song Rig

My Generation

Pete Townshend · My Generation · 1965

Tone Overview

What Makes This Sound Unique

Feedback as music — Townshend deliberately exploited amplifier feedback as a compositional element three years before Hendrix, using a Rickenbacker 1998 into a Fender Dual Showman to create controlled squealing feedback that punctuates the song's statement of generational defiance.

Signal Chain

1Rickenbacker 1998 (or Fender Stratocaster)
2Fender Dual Showman 85W (very loud)
3Fender 2×15 cabinet

Amp Settings

Gain / Volume6

Bass7

Mid7

Treble7

Presence8

High volume and high presence — the feedback requires the amp to be played at stage volume. Townshend positioned himself close to the speaker cabinet to induce specific pitches of feedback on cue during the song's instrumental breaks.

Technique

How to Play It

Guitar smashing and feedback exploitation as technique — My Generation live performances ended with Townshend destroying the guitar against the stage and amp. Musically, the windmill strumming technique covers all six strings with each chord stab.

Budget Alternative

Achievable With

Any electric guitar → any amp at high volume → stand 2–3 feet from the speaker cabinet for feedback. The specific pitch of the feedback can be changed by moving toward or away from the amp and by angling the guitar headstock toward the speakers.

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