Do I Wanna Know?

The recording

The riff was tracked with Alex Turner playing a 1960s Vox Starstream 12‑string guitar through a Vox AC30 C2, feeding a Big Muff Pi fuzz and a Boss DD‑7 delay. Producer James Ford captured the tone during the AM sessions, keeping the amp gain low and the reverb subtle so the guitar sits just under the vocal, while Turner used a slow, deliberate picking style with light muting for a percussive feel.

Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)

Reported gear

1960s Vox Starstream 12-String Electric Guitar

Guitar

Turner recorded the iconic riff on a 1960s Vox Starstream 12‑string electric guitar, giving the part its bright, jangly character.

Electro‑Harmonix Big Muff Pi

Fuzz

The heavy fuzz is produced by an Electro‑Harmonix Big Muff Pi, giving the riff its thick, saturated low‑mid tone.

Boss DD‑7 Digital Delay

Delay

A short digital delay from a Boss DD‑7 adds a subtle slap‑back that widens the riff without cluttering the mix.

Vox AC30 C2

Amp

Turner ran the guitar through a Vox AC30 C2, using its warm clean channel and built‑in reverb to sit low in the mix and complement the bass groove.

Alternatives

Vox Starstream 12‑String Reissue (2021)

Reissue · for the 1960s Vox Starstream 12-String Electric Guitar

$900 to $1,200

Boss DD‑7 (2024)

Still made · for the Boss DD‑7 Digital Delay

$70 to $100

Electro‑Harmonix Big Muff Pi (2024 edition)

Still made · for the Electro‑Harmonix Big Muff Pi

$80 to $110

Vox AC30 C2 (2024)

Still made · for the Vox AC30 C2

$1,800 to $2,500

Practical playing approach

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

1. 1.Select the bridge pickup on the 12‑string Starstream.
2. 2.Set the Big Muff sustain high and tone low for a thick low‑mid fuzz.
3. 3.Pick the riff slowly with downstrokes, lightly muting each note for a percussive feel.
4. 4.Engage a short digital delay (around 300 ms) to add subtle slap‑back.
5. 5.Keep the AC30 gain low and roll back the treble to sit the guitar beneath the vocals.