# Name that guitar tone...

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-guitar-tone/177246>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [May 24, 2003, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-guitar-tone/177246 "2003-05-24T17:05:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![black\_rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2003, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-guitar-tone/177246/1 "2003-05-24T17:05:33Z")

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Hey. I’m trying to figure out what effect was used on the right rhythm track on “Independent Luxury” by Sountrack of Our Lives. It comes in after first chorus, IIRC.

It’s kinda a percussive fuzz tone, almost like an overdriven harpsichord, if that makes any sense. It’s also used on a classic rock radio staple that I can’t think of at the moment.

I know it’s not much to go on, but anybody got any ideas?

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**Author:** ![black\_rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\
**Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-guitar-tone/177246/2 "2003-07-06T18:25:12Z")

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^^  
bumpage.

Okay, while sitting at the ball game last night, I realized where I’d heard it before: “Superstitious,” by Stevie Wonder. Yes, _that_ guitar tone. What’s it called, or how is it acheived?

Thanks.

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**Author:** ![Reuben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/54ee81/32.png) [@Reuben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reuben)\
**Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-guitar-tone/177246/3 "2003-07-06T19:58:20Z")

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Hi **black455** ,

I am not an expert, but an amateur guitarist who (now you’ve mentioned it) would also like to know how Stevie Wonder got that great sound. Google suggests it’s an “Electric Clavinet” :

[http://www.soundofmusic.se/synth/clavinet/clavinet.htm](http://www.soundofmusic.se/synth/clavinet/clavinet.htm)

Quote: ‘Model C (1968). It was this model that Stevie Wonder used on the recording of “Superstitious”’

The software version looks interesting too!

HTH,

Reuben

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**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\
**Post date:** [July 6, 2003, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-guitar-tone/177246/4 "2003-07-06T21:26:34Z")

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That’s correct, it’s a clavinet (a keyboard), not a guitar.

I don’t know why they refer to that classic Stevie Wonder tune by a wrong name, though. It’s called “Superstition.” You think they’d want to get that right. 😛 Either way, it’s a classic riff.

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**Author:** ![black\_rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-guitar-tone/177246/5 "2003-07-08T00:51:02Z")

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Sorry. I’m not the world’s biggest Stevie buff, but that sounds about right. I’ll see if I can find some samples or midi to play with.

Thanks duders.

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**Author:** ![black\_rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2003, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-guitar-tone/177246/6 "2003-07-08T01:01:11Z")

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Sorry. I’m not the world’s biggest Stevie buff, but that sounds about right. I’ll see if I can find some samples or midi to play with.

Thanks duders.