Push by Matchbox Twenty (Riff · Clean) — Guitar Tone

The Push by Matchbox Twenty guitar tone is built on a Fender Twin Reverb, dialed in at gain 3.5/10, bass 6, mid 6.5, treble 6.5, presence 5.5 (community-researched baseline). Full breakdown below — then adapt every knob to your exact guitar and amp, free.

Amp settings (0–10)

Community-researched baseline. Your rig is different — GuitarToneAdapt re-dials every knob for your specific guitar, amp and pickups.

How these settings compare

Measured against the 540 rock tones in our researched catalog: Gain 3.5 sits below the rock average (4.8) — cleaner and more dynamic than typical rock; mids at 6.5 are right around average (6.2).

Guitar controls

Original gear

Guitar: Gibson Les Paul Custom · Amp: Fender Twin Reverb (likely studio amp for clean tone)

Studio recording, 1996. Guitar and amp inferred from Equipboard and typical Matchbox Twenty studio setups for clean tones. No direct evidence of pedal use for clean riff. No evidence of live rig for this section.

Gear used on this tone

Don’t own this gear? GuitarToneAdapt re-creates the sound on the rig you actually have.

Pickups

Neck pickup

Signal chain

Gibson Les Paul Custom → Fender Twin Reverb (likely studio amp for clean tone)

Effects

reverb

Amp effects: Reverb (spring, level 4.5)

Tone character

rich and full-bodied, warm and smooth, bright and articulate, present but not harsh highs, balanced midrange, tight low end, dynamic and responsive, clean with slight sparkle, studio-polished clarity, no audible breakup

Recording context

studio

How it’s played

straight, medium tempo, medium dynamics · clean distortion. This shapes how hard the amp is pushed and where the EQ sits for the Push sound.

Difficulty

2/5 · Riff

The riff is based on simple chord shapes and strumming, with moderate tempo and no advanced techniques, making it accessible to most players with basic skills.

Worth knowing

• No direct source lists exact amp or pedal settings for the clean riff section of 'Push'.
• Guitar and amp inferred from Equipboard's mention of Gibson Les Paul Custom and typical studio clean amp (Fender Twin Reverb) for this era and genre.
• Settings estimated based on typical Fender Twin Reverb clean tone for 1990s rock.
• No evidence of pedal use or specific effects for the clean riff; no chorus, delay, or modulation audible.
• Pickup position inferred from typical clean tone approach and Les Paul Custom usage.
• Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. The riff on 'Push' features a classic 90s alternative rock crunch—edge-of-breakup to light crunch gain, with forward mids and balanced bass/treble for presence in the mix. Matchbox Twenty often used Fender or Vox-style amps with moderate reverb and no extreme EQ, matching these settings.

Push guitar tone — FAQ

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Sources

• Matchbox Twenty Members, Gear & Sound | Equipboard

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