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The recording
Lisztomania features three layered guitar tracks (guitar1-3 stems) recorded clean through a Fender Twin Reverb. Thomas Pablo Croquet played a vintage Telecaster, picking near the bridge with light palm-muting. The signal passed through a phaser effect, then received additional EQ shaping during mixing. The guitars sit wide in the stereo field, driving the rhythmic groove of the track.
Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)
Signal chain
Reported gear
1970s Fender Telecaster
Guitar
Thomas Pablo Croquet's Telecaster is listed on Equipboard as a 1970s Fender Telecaster and appears in studio photos from the Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix sessions.
MXR Phase 90
Pedal
The phaser effect heard on the guitars is attributed to an MXR Phase 90, which appears in Phoenix's gear list on Equipboard and aligns with Zdar's comment about using a phaser in the Mix With the Masters session.
1966 Fender Twin Reverb
Amp
The guitars were routed through a 1966 Fender Twin Reverb, noted in the band's gear roster on Equipboard as their primary clean amp for the album.
Alternatives
Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster
Budget alternative · for the 1970s Fender Telecaster
Fender '57 Custom Twin Reverb Reissue
Modern equivalent · for the 1966 Fender Twin Reverb
MXR Phase 90
Still made · for the MXR Phase 90
Practical playing approach
Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.
- 1.Pick near the bridge to accentuate the Tele's bright twang.
- 2.Set the MXR Phase 90 rate low and depth moderate for a subtle swirl.
- 3.Use light palm-muting on the rhythmic chords to keep the mix tight.
- 4.Double-track the part and pan each take opposite for width.
- 5.Keep the amp gain low and use the clean channel for clarity.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What gear was used for the Lisztomania guitar tone?
The available research points to 1970s Fender Telecaster into 1966 Fender Twin Reverb. The full reported signal chain and evidence links are listed on this page.
Are the original Lisztomania amp settings documented?
Exact historical knob positions are not reliably documented for most recordings. ToneTwin does not publish generated values as studio fact; it creates playable settings only for the amp and pedals a player selects.
What tuning is Lisztomania in?
The current research record lists Standard (E A D G B E). ToneTwin keeps corrections open when reliable accounts disagree.
How do I recreate the Lisztomania tone on my own gear?
Use the reported pickup, gain character, effects and signal-chain order as the target, then translate that target to your equipment. The matcher models controls for your selected rig rather than copying undocumented studio numbers.
Researched and reviewed by the ToneTwin Research Team.
