Guitar tone · metal

Saxon guitar tone: gear & amp settings

The gear and amp settings behind 7 Saxon songs, researched from rig rundowns, interviews and gear forums. The rig that shows up most: Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely late 1970s model, as used by Graham Oliver and Paul Quinn in Saxon at the time) into Marshall JMP 2203 (100W head, typical for NWOBHM era and Saxon's studio recordings in 1979).

Guitars Saxon used

Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely late 1970s model, as used by Graham Oliver and Paul Quinn in Saxon at the time)1 song
Unknown (likely Gibson Les Paul Standard or similar, based on Saxon's typical late 90s/2000s studio use)1 song
Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1970s model)1 song
Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1970s-early 1980s, as used by Graham Oliver and Paul Quinn in studio)1 song
Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1970s/early 1980s, as used by Graham Oliver and Paul Quinn on studio recordings)1 song
Arbor Strat (vintage Japanese Stratocaster copy)1 song

Amps Saxon used

Marshall JMP 2203 (100W head, typical for NWOBHM era and Saxon's studio recordings in 1979)1 song
Marshall JCM800 (most likely, as per Saxon's signature sound and era; no direct citation for this song/recording)1 song
Marshall JMP 100W (likely Super Lead or Master Volume, late 1970s model)1 song
Marshall JMP 2203 (likely, based on era and genre; Equipboard mentions Hughes & Kettner Puretone but this is for later eras, not 1984 studio)1 song
Marshall JMP 2203 (100W, typical for NWOBHM and Saxon in early 1980s studio)1 song
Marshall 1969 Plexi (likely Super Lead 1959 model)1 song

7 Saxon tones

Song	Part	Guitar	Amp	Gain
747 (Strangers in the Night) [2009 - Remaster] · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely late 1970s model, as used by Graham Oliver and Paul Quinn in Saxon at the time)	Marshall JMP 2203 (100W head, typical for NWOBHM era and Saxon's studio recordings in 1979)	7
Battle Cry · riff	Riff · distorted	—	—	7
Crusader (2009 - Remaster) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1970s-early 1980s, as used by Graham Oliver and Paul Quinn in studio)	Marshall JMP 2203 (likely, based on era and genre; Equipboard mentions Hughes & Kettner Puretone but this is for later eras, not 1984 studio)	7
Power and the Glory · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1970s/early 1980s, as used by Graham Oliver and Paul Quinn on studio recordings)	Marshall JMP 2203 (100W, typical for NWOBHM and Saxon in early 1980s studio)	7
Ride Like the Wind · riff	Riff · distorted	Arbor Strat (vintage Japanese Stratocaster copy)	Marshall 1969 Plexi (likely Super Lead 1959 model)	7
Strong Arm of the Law (1997 Remaster) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1970s model)	Marshall JMP 100W (likely Super Lead or Master Volume, late 1970s model)	6.5
Watching the Sky (Remastered) · riff	Riff · distorted	Unknown (likely Gibson Les Paul Standard or similar, based on Saxon's typical late 90s/2000s studio use)	Marshall JCM800 (most likely, as per Saxon's signature sound and era; no direct citation for this song/recording)	7

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Frequently asked questions

What amp did Saxon use?

Across 7 researched songs, the amps that come up most are Marshall JMP 2203 (100W head, typical for NWOBHM era and Saxon's studio recordings in 1979) (1 song), Marshall JCM800 (most likely, as per Saxon's signature sound and era; no direct citation for this song/recording) (1 song), Marshall JMP 100W (likely Super Lead or Master Volume, late 1970s model) (1 song), Marshall JMP 2203 (likely, based on era and genre; Equipboard mentions Hughes & Kettner Puretone but this is for later eras, not 1984 studio) (1 song).

What guitar did Saxon use?

Most often: Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely late 1970s model, as used by Graham Oliver and Paul Quinn in Saxon at the time) (1 song), Unknown (likely Gibson Les Paul Standard or similar, based on Saxon's typical late 90s/2000s studio use) (1 song), Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1970s model) (1 song), Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1970s-early 1980s, as used by Graham Oliver and Paul Quinn in studio) (1 song).

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

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