Guitar tone · rock

Rainbow guitar tone: gear & amp settings

The gear and amp settings behind 9 Rainbow songs, researched from rig rundowns, interviews and gear forums. The rig that shows up most: Fender Stratocaster (1970s, likely maple neck, stock single-coil pickups) into Marshall Major 200W head (model 1967, modded for master volume), 4x12 cabinet.

Guitars Rainbow used

Fender Stratocaster (1970s, likely maple neck, stock single-coil pickups)2 songs
1971 Fender Stratocaster (Maple neck, stock single coils, scalloped fretboard)1 song
Fender Stratocaster (likely late 1970s or early 1980s, maple neck, scalloped fretboard, black finish, as used by Ritchie Blackmore in this era)1 song
1974 Fender Stratocaster (Ritchie Blackmore signature, scalloped fretboard, maple neck)1 song
1974 Fender Stratocaster (rosewood fretboard, scalloped neck, stock single-coil pickups)1 song
1971 Fender Stratocaster (scalloped fretboard, maple neck, stock single coils)1 song
Fender Stratocaster (1970s, likely late-70s, maple neck, stock single-coil pickups, as used by Ritchie Blackmore on the Down to Earth album)1 song
1974 Fender Stratocaster (Olympic White, scalloped fretboard)1 song

Amps Rainbow used

Marshall Major 200W head (model 1967, modded for master volume), 4x12 cabinet1 song
Marshall Major 200W head (model 1967), into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (Celestion speakers)1 song
Marshall Major 200W head (model 1967, KT88 tubes) into Marshall 4x12 cabinet1 song
Marshall Major (200-watt head, likely with Marshall 4x12 cabinet, 1974 studio recording)1 song
Marshall Major 200W head (1970s, non-master volume, EL34/KT88 tubes) into Marshall 4x12 cabinet1 song
Marshall Major 200W head (model 1967), likely with modified preamp for extra gain, into Marshall 4x12 cabinet1 song
Marshall Major 200W head (model 1967, as used by Blackmore in late 1970s Rainbow studio sessions)1 song
Marshall Major Model 1967 200-watt head (possibly with Vox AC30 preamp section, as per Blackmore's known studio setup)1 song

10 Rainbow tones

Song	Part	Guitar	Amp	Gain
Catch the Rainbow · riff	Riff · clean	1971 Fender Stratocaster (Maple neck, stock single coils, scalloped fretboard)	Marshall Major 200W head (model 1967, modded for master volume), 4x12 cabinet	0
Death Alley Driver · solo	Solo · distorted	Fender Stratocaster (likely late 1970s or early 1980s, maple neck, scalloped fretboard, black finish, as used by Ritchie Blackmore in this era)	Marshall Major 200W head (model 1967), into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (Celestion speakers)	7.5
Gates of Babylon · riff	Riff · distorted	1971 Fender Stratocaster (scalloped fretboard, maple neck, stock single coils)	Marshall Major 200W head (model 1967), likely with modified preamp for extra gain, into Marshall 4x12 cabinet	6.5
Man On the Silver Mountain · riff	Riff · distorted	1974 Fender Stratocaster (rosewood fretboard, scalloped neck, stock single-coil pickups)	Marshall Major 200W head (1970s, non-master volume, EL34/KT88 tubes) into Marshall 4x12 cabinet	6.5
Rainbow Eyes · riff	Riff · clean	Fender Stratocaster (1970s, likely maple neck, stock single-coil pickups)	Marshall Major Model 1967 200-watt head (possibly with Vox AC30 preamp section, as per Blackmore's known studio setup)	0
Since You Been Gone · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender Stratocaster (1970s, likely late-70s, maple neck, stock single-coil pickups, as used by Ritchie Blackmore on the Down to Earth album)	Marshall Major 200W head (model 1967, as used by Blackmore in late 1970s Rainbow studio sessions)	6
Stargazer · riff	Riff · distorted	1974 Fender Stratocaster (Ritchie Blackmore signature, scalloped fretboard, maple neck)	Marshall Major 200W head (model 1967, KT88 tubes) into Marshall 4x12 cabinet	6.5
Stargazer · solo	Solo · distorted	1974 Fender Stratocaster (Olympic White, scalloped fretboard)	Marshall Major 200-watt head (modded for extra gain/output, often slaved with Vox AC30 preamp section)	7.5
Tarot Woman · riff	Riff · distorted	1974 Fender Stratocaster (Rosewood fretboard, scalloped neck, stock single coils)	Marshall Major 200W head (model 1967/1968, EL34s, 4x12 cabinet, likely Celestion speakers)	6.5
The Temple of the King · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender Stratocaster (1970s, likely maple neck, stock single-coil pickups)	Marshall Major (200-watt head, likely with Marshall 4x12 cabinet, 1974 studio recording)	4.5

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Frequently asked questions

What amp did Rainbow use?

Across 9 researched songs, the amps that come up most are Marshall Major 200W head (model 1967, modded for master volume), 4x12 cabinet (1 song), Marshall Major 200W head (model 1967), into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (Celestion speakers) (1 song), Marshall Major 200W head (model 1967, KT88 tubes) into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (1 song), Marshall Major (200-watt head, likely with Marshall 4x12 cabinet, 1974 studio recording) (1 song).

What guitar did Rainbow use?

Most often: Fender Stratocaster (1970s, likely maple neck, stock single-coil pickups) (2 songs), 1971 Fender Stratocaster (Maple neck, stock single coils, scalloped fretboard) (1 song), Fender Stratocaster (likely late 1970s or early 1980s, maple neck, scalloped fretboard, black finish, as used by Ritchie Blackmore in this era) (1 song), 1974 Fender Stratocaster (Ritchie Blackmore signature, scalloped fretboard, maple neck) (1 song).

How do I get Rainbow's tone on my amp?

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