Guitar tone · rock

Styx guitar tone: gear & amp settings

The gear and amp settings behind 9 Styx songs, researched from rig rundowns, interviews and gear forums. The rig that shows up most: Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1970s model) into Marshall amplifier (likely JMP or Super Lead, 1970s era).

Guitars Styx used

Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1970s model)1 song
Gibson Les Paul Deluxe (likely 1970s, mini-humbuckers, as used by Tommy Shaw in this era)1 song
Gibson Les Paul Custom (likely 1970s-early 1980s, as used by James Young live with Styx)1 song
Gibson Les Paul Custom (likely 1970s, James 'JY' Young's main guitar for heavy tracks)1 song
Gibson Les Paul Custom (1970s, likely black finish, as used by James Young on studio recording)1 song
Gibson Les Paul Standard 'Burst' (1958-1960)1 song
Gibson Les Paul Custom (late 1970s, likely black finish, as used by James 'J.Y.' Young on Cornerstone album)1 song
Gibson Les Paul (likely Standard, late 1970s/early 1980s, used by Tommy Shaw in studio)1 song

Amps Styx used

Marshall amplifier (likely JMP or Super Lead, 1970s era)1 song
Marshall amplifier (likely JMP or JCM800, as used by Tommy Shaw in late 1970s/early 1980s Styx studio recordings)1 song
Marshall JMP or JCM800 head with 4x12 cabinet (typical for Styx live in early 1980s)1 song
Marshall JMP 100-watt head (1970s, likely Super Lead or Master Volume, into Marshall 4x12 cabinet)1 song
Marshall JMP 100-watt head (1970s, likely Super Lead or Master Volume, with matching Marshall 4x12 cabinet)1 song
Marshall JCM2000 TSL 100 Triple Super Lead1 song
Marshall JMP 2203 100W head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (likely Celestion G12-65 speakers)1 song
Marshall amplifier (likely JMP or JCM800, era-appropriate for Styx studio recordings circa 1980-81)1 song

10 Styx tones

Song	Part	Guitar	Amp	Gain
Blue Collar Man (Long Nights) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1970s model)	Marshall amplifier (likely JMP or Super Lead, 1970s era)	6
Borrowed Time · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Custom (late 1970s, likely black finish, as used by James 'J.Y.' Young on Cornerstone album)	Marshall JMP 2203 100W head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (likely Celestion G12-65 speakers)	6.5
Come Sail Away · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Custom (1970s, likely black finish, as used by James Young on studio recording)	Marshall JMP 100-watt head (1970s, likely Super Lead or Master Volume, with matching Marshall 4x12 cabinet)	5.5
Miss America · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Custom (likely 1970s, James 'JY' Young's main guitar for heavy tracks)	Marshall JMP 100-watt head (1970s, likely Super Lead or Master Volume, into Marshall 4x12 cabinet)	6.5
Renegade · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard 'Burst' (1958-1960)	Marshall JCM2000 TSL 100 Triple Super Lead	6.5
Rockin' The Paradise · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1970s or early 1980s, as used by James 'JY' Young on Paradise Theatre album)	Marshall JMP 2203 (100W, classic late-70s/early-80s rock amp, likely used in studio)	6.5
Rockin' the Paradise (Live) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Custom (likely 1970s-early 1980s, as used by James Young live with Styx)	Marshall JMP or JCM800 head with 4x12 cabinet (typical for Styx live in early 1980s)	6
The Grand Illusion · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Custom (1970s, black finish, likely Norlin era, as used by James 'J.Y.' Young on The Grand Illusion album)	Marshall JMP 100-watt head (1970s, likely Super Lead or Master Volume, as used by J.Y. Young in studio)	6
Too Much Time On My Hands · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Deluxe (likely 1970s, mini-humbuckers, as used by Tommy Shaw in this era)	Marshall amplifier (likely JMP or JCM800, as used by Tommy Shaw in late 1970s/early 1980s Styx studio recordings)	6
Too Much Time On My Hands · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul (likely Standard, late 1970s/early 1980s, used by Tommy Shaw in studio)	Marshall amplifier (likely JMP or JCM800, era-appropriate for Styx studio recordings circa 1980-81)	6

Styx songs on popular amps

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

Too Much Time On My Hands on Boss Katana 100 Gen 3

Get Styx's tone on your gear

Pick any Styx song and ToneAdapt adapts the original rig to your own guitar, amp, pickups and pedals.

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Frequently asked questions

What amp did Styx use?

Across 9 researched songs, the amps that come up most are Marshall amplifier (likely JMP or Super Lead, 1970s era) (1 song), Marshall amplifier (likely JMP or JCM800, as used by Tommy Shaw in late 1970s/early 1980s Styx studio recordings) (1 song), Marshall JMP or JCM800 head with 4x12 cabinet (typical for Styx live in early 1980s) (1 song), Marshall JMP 100-watt head (1970s, likely Super Lead or Master Volume, into Marshall 4x12 cabinet) (1 song).

What guitar did Styx use?

Most often: Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1970s model) (1 song), Gibson Les Paul Deluxe (likely 1970s, mini-humbuckers, as used by Tommy Shaw in this era) (1 song), Gibson Les Paul Custom (likely 1970s-early 1980s, as used by James Young live with Styx) (1 song), Gibson Les Paul Custom (likely 1970s, James 'JY' Young's main guitar for heavy tracks) (1 song).

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

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