Riff Tone
A Trick of the Tail
Genesis
Guitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul (likely 1970s model, as used by Steve Hackett in this era)
AmpRoland JC-120 (or JC-160/150, but JC-120 is most documented for this period)
PickupsHumbuckers (likely stock Gibson PAF-style, as per era and Hackett's known gear)
Amp Settings
gain0
bass6
mid6.5
treble6.5
reverb3
presence5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1975-1976. Steve Hackett used a Roland JC amp for clean tones during the 'A Trick of the Tail' sessions before switching to Marshalls for later work. No evidence of live/tour gear for this specific clean riff section.
Tone Character(10)
crystal-clear and pristineshimmering highslush, subtle chorus modulationarticulate note separationwarm midrange presencetight, controlled low endno audible distortion or breakupclassic 1970s studio cleanRoland JC-120 signature sparklesmooth sustain with fast decay
Difficulty
The riff requires clean, accurate playing with careful chord voicings and dynamic control to maintain clarity and articulation, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast passages.
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Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul (likely 1970s model, as used by Steve Hackett in this era)
AmpRoland JC-120 (or JC-160/150, but JC-120 is most documented for this period)
PickupsHumbuckers (likely stock Gibson PAF-style, as per era and Hackett's known gear)
Amp Settings
gain0
bass6
mid6.5
treble6.5
reverb3
presence5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1975-1976. Steve Hackett used a Roland JC amp for clean tones during the 'A Trick of the Tail' sessions before switching to Marshalls for later work. No evidence of live/tour gear for this specific clean riff section.
Tone Character(10)
crystal-clear and pristineshimmering highslush, subtle chorus modulationarticulate note separationwarm midrange presencetight, controlled low endno audible distortion or breakupclassic 1970s studio cleanRoland JC-120 signature sparklesmooth sustain with fast decay
Difficulty
The riff requires clean, accurate playing with careful chord voicings and dynamic control to maintain clarity and articulation, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast passages.
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