A-Punk

The recording

The opening riff of "A‑Punk" is played on a Fender Telecaster, delivering a bright, jangly tone that drives the song’s relentless tempo. Ezra Koenig’s rapid, percussive strumming was recorded straight‑through a Fender Twin Reverb, capturing the track’s signature sparkle. The part was tracked in 2007 at a New York studio with producer Rostam Batmanglij, who also added supplemental guitar parts, but the primary tone heard on the record comes from the Tele‑Twin‑Reverb combo. The guitars were miked with Shure SM57s and a Royer ribbon, then lightly compressed using a Universal Audio 1176 before being printed to tape.

Reported gear

Fender Telecaster

Guitar

Ezra Koenig recorded the bright, percussive rhythm parts on a Fender Telecaster, delivering the song's signature jangly tone.

Fender Twin Reverb

Amplifier

The Telecaster's signal was routed into a Fender Twin Reverb, providing the sparkling, open tone that defines the track.

Alternatives

Fender Player Telecaster

Modern equivalent · for the Fender Telecaster

$600 to $700

Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue

Modern equivalent · for the Fender Twin Reverb

$1,100 to $1,300

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1. 1.Use a Telecaster for a bright, articulate tone.
2. 2.Strum the chords with tight, down‑stroke bursts to capture the song’s percussive drive.
3. 3.Keep the amp clean and set the volume high for natural tube headroom without distortion.
4. 4.Maintain a steady eighth‑note rhythm to preserve the track’s relentless momentum.