Guitar tone · rock

Blue Öyster Cult guitar tone: gear & amp settings

The gear and amp settings behind 6 Blue Öyster Cult songs, researched from rig rundowns, interviews and gear forums. The rig that shows up most: c. 1960s Gibson ES-175 into 1975 Music Man 410-65 combo (four 10-inch Eminence ceramic-magnet speakers).

Guitars Blue Öyster Cult used

c. 1960s Gibson ES-1752 songs
Gibson SG Standard (early 1970s, likely 1972-73, as used by Buck Dharma on the studio recording)1 song
1969 Gibson SG Standard with stock T-top humbuckers modified with Alembic Hot Rod Kit ceramic magnets1 song
Gibson ES-175 (c. 1960s, hollowbody jazz guitar, used for riff/rhythm on studio recording)1 song
Gibson SG Standard (early 1970s, likely 1971-1972, as used by Buck Dharma on debut album)1 song
Gibson SG Standard (early 1970s, likely 1971-1972, as used by Buck Dharma on studio recording)1 song
1969 Gibson SG Standard1 song
Gibson Les Paul Deluxe1 song

Amps Blue Öyster Cult used

1975 Music Man 410-65 combo (four 10-inch Eminence ceramic-magnet speakers)2 songs
Fender Twin Reverb (blackface or silverface, used in studio for clean tones)1 song
1975 Music Man 410-65 combo (channel 2, input 1, Bright switch: Bright)1 song
Music Man 410-65 combo (1975, four 10-inch Eminence ceramic-magnet speakers)1 song
Marshall half-stack (likely Marshall Super Lead Plexi, as referenced in Premier Guitar and period-correct for 1972 studio recording)1 song
Fender Twin Reverb (blackface, used in studio for clean tones)1 song
Marshall 1959SLP Plexi Super Lead (likely original 1970s model, not reissue)1 song
Unknown tube amp (likely Marshall or Fender, but not confirmed for studio recording)1 song

10 Blue Öyster Cult tones

Song	Part	Guitar	Amp	Gain
Burnin' for You · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Deluxe	Unknown tube amp (likely Marshall or Fender, but not confirmed for studio recording)	6
(Don't Fear) The Reaper · riff	Riff · clean	c. 1960s Gibson ES-175	1975 Music Man 410-65 combo (four 10-inch Eminence ceramic-magnet speakers)	4
(Don't Fear) The Reaper · riff	Riff · distorted	c. 1960s Gibson ES-175	1975 Music Man 410-65 combo (four 10-inch Eminence ceramic-magnet speakers)	4
(Don't Fear) The Reaper · solo	Solo · distorted	1969 Gibson SG Standard with stock T-top humbuckers modified with Alembic Hot Rod Kit ceramic magnets	1975 Music Man 410-65 combo (channel 2, input 1, Bright switch: Bright)	5.5
Cities On Flame With Rock and Roll · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson SG Standard (early 1970s, likely 1971-1972, as used by Buck Dharma on debut album)	Marshall half-stack (likely Marshall Super Lead Plexi, as referenced in Premier Guitar and period-correct for 1972 studio recording)	6.5
Godzilla · riff	Riff · distorted	1969 Gibson SG Standard	Marshall 1959SLP Plexi Super Lead (likely original 1970s model, not reissue)	6.5
I Love the Night · riff	Riff · clean	Gibson ES-175 (c. 1960s, hollowbody jazz guitar, used for riff/rhythm on studio recording)	Music Man 410-65 combo (1975, four 10-inch Eminence ceramic-magnet speakers)	0
Then Came the Last Days of May · solo	Solo · clean	Gibson SG Standard (early 1970s, likely 1972-73, as used by Buck Dharma on the studio recording)	Fender Twin Reverb (blackface or silverface, used in studio for clean tones)	3
Then Came the Last Days of May · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson SG Standard (early 1970s, likely 1971-1972, as used by Buck Dharma on studio recording)	Fender Twin Reverb (blackface, used in studio for clean tones)	3.5
Then Came the Last Days of May · riff	Riff · clean	Gibson ES-175 (studio's, c. 1960s, likely bridge pickup for riff)	Marshall 100W Super Lead (studio, 1972 recording)	4

Blue Öyster Cult songs on popular amps

Exact settings ToneAdapt players use for these songs on their own amps.

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Frequently asked questions

What amp did Blue Öyster Cult use?

Across 6 researched songs, the amps that come up most are 1975 Music Man 410-65 combo (four 10-inch Eminence ceramic-magnet speakers) (2 songs), Fender Twin Reverb (blackface or silverface, used in studio for clean tones) (1 song), 1975 Music Man 410-65 combo (channel 2, input 1, Bright switch: Bright) (1 song), Music Man 410-65 combo (1975, four 10-inch Eminence ceramic-magnet speakers) (1 song).

What guitar did Blue Öyster Cult use?

Most often: c. 1960s Gibson ES-175 (2 songs), Gibson SG Standard (early 1970s, likely 1972-73, as used by Buck Dharma on the studio recording) (1 song), 1969 Gibson SG Standard with stock T-top humbuckers modified with Alembic Hot Rod Kit ceramic magnets (1 song), Gibson ES-175 (c. 1960s, hollowbody jazz guitar, used for riff/rhythm on studio recording) (1 song).

How do I get Blue Öyster Cult's tone on my amp?

Open any Blue Öyster Cult song below to see the original gear and settings, then use ToneAdapt to adapt them to your own guitar, amp, pickups and pedals.