Pumped Up Kicks

The recording

Evidently recorded in Mark Foster’s home‑studio demo, the guitar part for "Pumped Up Kicks" was tracked on a vintage 1959 Fender Jazzmaster and run through a clean Fender Deluxe Reverb. A light chorus, brief digital delay, and modest reverb were applied, giving the riff its slightly shimmering texture. The part was double‑tracked and panned slightly left, sitting beneath the synths and drum loop, while the amp was mic’d with a small‑diaphragm condenser at EastWest Studios. The performance uses standard tuning and a relaxed, palm‑muted strumming style that contributes to the song’s laid‑back groove.

Tuning E A D G B E (standard)

Reported gear

1959 Fender Jazzmaster

Guitar

Mark Foster used a 1959 Fender Jazzmaster for the clean riff on 'Pumped Up Kicks', as noted in interviews discussing his preference for vintage Jazzmasters.

Analog Chorus Pedal (unspecified)

Chorus

A subtle analog chorus adds movement to the guitar tone; the exact unit isn’t documented, but a typical chorus effect was employed in the mix.

Reverb Pedal (unspecified)

Reverb

A light reverb creates a sense of space without washing out the clean tone; the specific pedal used on the recording remains unconfirmed.

Delay

Delay Pedal (unspecified)

Delay

A short digital delay provides a subtle echo that thickens the rhythm part; the exact model isn’t recorded in any source.

Fender Deluxe Reverb

Amp

The clean tone is driven by a Fender Deluxe Reverb, as suggested by the Guitar Chalk tone guide for the song.

Alternatives

Squier Vintage Modified Jazzmaster

Modern equivalent · for the 1959 Fender Jazzmaster

$600 to $800

TC Electronic Flashback Delay

Modern equivalent · for the Delay Pedal (unspecified)

$150 to $200

Boss CE-2W Chorus

Modern equivalent · for the Analog Chorus Pedal (unspecified)

$120 to $150

Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue

Reissue · for the Fender Deluxe Reverb

$1,800 to $2,200

Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Reverb

Modern equivalent · for the Reverb Pedal (unspecified)

$120 to $150

Practical playing approach

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

1. 1.Select the neck pickup on the Jazzmaster and set the tone knob around 6‑7 for a warm, rounded sound.
2. 2.Turn the volume knob to full to drive the amp cleanly.
3. 3.Engage a subtle chorus effect to add gentle movement without overwhelming the clean tone.
4. 4.Add a short delay set to a low repeat time (~300 ms) to thicken the riff, keeping the mix clear.