Song Rig
Knock on Wood
Steve Cropper · Knock on Wood · 1966
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
Cutting and percussive — Cropper's Telecaster riff on this Eddie Floyd track is one of the most imitated guitar parts in soul music. The attack is immediate and the decay short, giving the groove a tight, locked feel with the Stax rhythm section.
Signal Chain
- 1Fender Telecaster (bridge pickup)
- 2Fender amp (clean)
Amp Settings
Bridge pickup for maximum brightness — the intro riff needs to cut through without blurring. Treble up and bass down relative to normal settings.
Technique
How to Play It
Three-note melodic hook with palm muting — the Knock on Wood riff is a model of economy: three notes, perfectly rhythmically placed, that immediately identify the song.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Telecaster bridge pickup → any clean Fender amp → practice the palm muting technique until the attack and decay are perfectly controlled.
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
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