Solo Tone

Animal

Def Leppard

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarIbanez DT-555 Destroyer (with retrofitted Kahler vibrato)

AmpTom Scholz Rockman (original version, rackmount headphone amp/DI preamp, used for almost all guitar tracks on 'Hysteria')

PickupsIbanez stock humbuckers (likely Super 58 or V2, humbucking configuration)

Amp Settings

gain6.5

bass5.5

mid6.5

treble7

reverb3.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1986-1987. Phil Collen played and double-tracked the solo on 'Animal' using the Ibanez DT-555 Destroyer with a Kahler vibrato. The Rockman was the primary amp/DI for the album, with no pedals used on the solo. Delay and chorus effects were added via rack units (TC Electronic 1210, TC 2290) in the studio signal chain. The Gallien-Krueger 250ML was only used for the intro feedback, not the solo.

Tone Character(10)

singing sustainbright and articulatemodulation-drenchedchorus-enhanced widthtight, defined attacksmooth, compressed sustainmelodic and controlledradio-friendly claritynot overly saturatedproduced, layered sound

Difficulty

The solo requires melodic phrasing, accurate bends, and double-tracking for studio precision. While not technically extreme, it demands control, timing, and a polished touch to match the produced tone.