Riff Tone

A Man I'll Never Be

Boston

Guitarrock1970s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Goldtop (1957, with DiMarzio Super Distortion bridge pickup, modified by Tom Scholz)

AmpMarshall Super Lead (1959 model, modded by Scholz), possibly with Power Soak

PickupsDiMarzio Super Distortion (bridge), Gibson P-90 (neck), likely bridge pickup for riff

Amp Settings

gain5.5

bass6.5

mid7

treble7

reverb3

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

compressionUnknown Compression pedal (model unknown)

chorusUnknown Chorus pedal (model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, 1977-1978, Don't Look Back album. Scholz is known for heavy studio layering and custom signal chains. No evidence of Rockman on this album; Rockman was developed after. Effects are likely rack or pedal-based, not amp built-in.

Tone Character(10)

rich and harmonically layeredcrunchy but smoothclear note separationsinging sustainslightly compressed attackmidrange-focusedtight and controlled low endwarm but present highsstudio-polisheddistinct stereo double-tracking

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate skill due to its chord voicings, precise timing for double-tracked parts, and dynamic control to maintain clarity in a harmonically rich mix.

Sources

Tom Scholz BOSTON guitar tone? | Page 4 Want to Build a Tom Scholz (Boston) Hyperspace Pedal, But What is ...

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