Riff Tone

18 And Life

Skid Row

Guitarmetal1980s

Original Gear

GuitarJackson Soloist (blue, Scotti Hill's main studio guitar for riff sections)

AmpA/DA MP-1 preamp into Marshall JCM800 (with Groove Tubes or McIntosh power amp, as per studio notes)

PickupsSeymour Duncan humbuckers (exact model unspecified, likely JB or Distortion based on era and Jackson models)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass6

mid6

treble7

reverb2

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveIbanez Ibanez Tube Screamer (likely TS9 or TS10)

eqMXR MXR 6-Band EQ

Notes

Studio recording, 1988-1989. Rhythm/riff sections tracked primarily by Scotti Hill with his blue Jackson Soloist through an ADA MP-1 preamp and Marshall JCM800 head, sometimes using a Groove Tubes or McIntosh power amp. Ibanez Tube Screamer and MXR 6-band EQ were sometimes used for shaping, but no evidence of time-based or modulation effects on the riff. No chorus or delay on the main riff. All details are for the original studio recording, not live.

Tone Character(10)

tight palm-muted chugscrisp attack on power chordssaturated 80s metal rhythm tonefocused midrange puncharticulate note separationslightly scooped but not hollowaggressive pick attackminimal ambiencepercussive and definedno audible modulation or delay on riff

Difficulty

The riff requires solid palm muting technique, accurate power chord changes, and a strong pick attack to achieve the tight, percussive metal sound characteristic of the recording.

Sources

Snake Sabo and Scotti Hill on Skid Row's massive debut album | Guitar World Dave Sabo | Equipboard Skid Row - 18 and Life ==lead tone== | The Gear Page

This tone has been researched 8 times by the community

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