Guitar tone · rock

Hanoi Rocks guitar tone: gear & amp settings

The gear and amp settings behind 14 Hanoi Rocks songs, researched from rig rundowns, interviews and gear forums. The rig that shows up most: Gibson Explorer into Marshall JCM2000 TSL 100.

Guitars Hanoi Rocks used

Gibson Explorer2 songs
Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely late 1970s or early 1980s, sunburst finish)1 song
Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1970s-early 1980s, as used by Andy McCoy in studio)1 song
Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1970s/early 1980s, as used by Andy McCoy on early Hanoi Rocks recordings)1 song
Gibson Explorer (early 80s, likely 1976-1981 model)1 song
Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1970s-early 1980s, as used by Andy McCoy live in this era)1 song
Gibson Les Paul Standard (early 1980s, likely Cherry Sunburst, as used by Andy McCoy live)1 song
Gibson SG Standard1 song

Amps Hanoi Rocks used

Marshall JCM2000 TSL 1002 songs
Marshall JCM800 2203 head into Marshall 1960A 4x12 cabinet2 songs
Marshall JMP 2203 (likely 100W head, classic late 1970s/early 1980s live amp for Hanoi Rocks)1 song
Marshall JMP 2203 (likely, based on era, genre, and Andy McCoy's known studio gear for 'Back to Mystery City')1 song
Marshall JMP 2203 (likely, based on era, genre, and typical Hanoi Rocks studio setup)1 song
Marshall JCM800 2203 head into 4x12 cabinet1 song
Marshall JCM800 2203 head with 4x12 cabinet (standard for Hanoi Rocks live in the early 1980s)1 song
Marshall JCM800 2203 (100W head) into Marshall 1960A/B 4x12 cabinet1 song

18 Hanoi Rocks tones

Song	Part	Guitar	Amp	Gain
11th Street Kidzz (Live) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely late 1970s or early 1980s, sunburst finish)	Marshall JMP 2203 (likely 100W head, classic late 1970s/early 1980s live amp for Hanoi Rocks)	6.5
Back to Mystery City (Live) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Explorer	Marshall JCM2000 TSL 100	6.5
Boulevard of Broken Dreams (BBC Session) · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1970s-early 1980s, sunburst finish, as used by Andy McCoy in this era)	Marshall JMP 2203 (likely 100W head, classic late 70s/early 80s model, as used by Hanoi Rocks in studio and live at the time)	6.5
Boulevard of Broken Dreams (BBC Session) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1970s-early 1980s, sunburst or black finish, as used by Andy McCoy in this era)	Marshall JMP 2203 (100W head, typical for Andy McCoy in early/mid-1980s studio sessions)	6
day late dollar short · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul (likely Standard or Custom, as per Andy McCoy's typical studio use)	Marshall JTM60	6
Don't Ever Leave Me (Live) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1970s-early 1980s, as used by Andy McCoy live in this era)	Marshall JCM800 2203 head into Marshall 1960A 4x12 cabinet	6.5
don't you ever leave me · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson SG Standard	Marshall JCM800 2203 (100W head) into Marshall 1960A/B 4x12 cabinet	7.5
don't you ever leave me · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1970s or early 1980s, as used by Andy McCoy in this era)	Marshall JCM800 2203 head into Marshall 1960A 4x12 cabinet	6
don't you ever leave me · solo	Solo · clean	Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1970s/early 1980s, as used by Andy McCoy in studio)	Marshall JMP 2203 (likely, based on era, genre, and band’s known studio use)	0
don't you ever leave me · riff	Riff · clean	Early 1980s Gibson Les Paul Custom (black, stock Tim Shaw humbuckers)	Marshall JCM800 2203 head with Marshall 1960A 4x12 cabinet	0
Ice Cream Summer · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1970s-early 1980s, as used by Andy McCoy in studio)	Marshall JMP 2203 (likely, based on era, genre, and Andy McCoy's known studio gear for 'Back to Mystery City')	6
Malibu Beach Nightmare · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar	Marshall JCM800 2203 (1977-79) into Marshall 1960B 4x12 Cabinet	6.5
million miles away · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (early 1980s, likely sunburst, as used by Andy McCoy in studio)	Marshall JMP 2203 (likely, based on era, genre, and Andy McCoy's known studio use)	6
Taxi Driver (Live) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (early 1980s, likely Cherry Sunburst, as used by Andy McCoy live)	Marshall JCM800 2203 head with 4x12 cabinet (standard for Hanoi Rocks live in the early 1980s)	6.5
Tragedy · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Explorer (early 80s, likely 1976-1981 model)	Marshall JCM800 2203 head into 4x12 cabinet	6.5
Until I Get You (Live) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely late 1970s or early 1980s, as used by Andy McCoy live in this era)	Marshall JCM800 2203 head with 4x12 cabinet (typical for Hanoi Rocks live in the early/mid 1980s)	6
up around the bend · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Explorer	Marshall JCM2000 TSL 100	6.5
Village Girl · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1970s/early 1980s, as used by Andy McCoy on early Hanoi Rocks recordings)	Marshall JMP 2203 (likely, based on era, genre, and typical Hanoi Rocks studio setup)	6

Hanoi Rocks 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 Hanoi Rocks use?

Across 14 researched songs, the amps that come up most are Marshall JCM2000 TSL 100 (2 songs), Marshall JCM800 2203 head into Marshall 1960A 4x12 cabinet (2 songs), Marshall JMP 2203 (likely 100W head, classic late 1970s/early 1980s live amp for Hanoi Rocks) (1 song), Marshall JMP 2203 (likely, based on era, genre, and Andy McCoy's known studio gear for 'Back to Mystery City') (1 song).

What guitar did Hanoi Rocks use?

Most often: Gibson Explorer (2 songs), Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely late 1970s or early 1980s, sunburst finish) (1 song), Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1970s-early 1980s, as used by Andy McCoy in studio) (1 song), Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1970s/early 1980s, as used by Andy McCoy on early Hanoi Rocks recordings) (1 song).

How do I get Hanoi Rocks's tone on my amp?

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