Solo Tone

Armageddon It

Def Leppard

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarIbanez DT-555 Destroyer (with retrofitted Kahler vibrato)

AmpTom Scholz Rockman X100 (studio headphone amp/amp simulator, used for nearly all Hysteria solos)

PickupsIbanez V2 humbuckers (stock, likely bridge position for solo)

Amp Settings

gain7

bass5.5

mid5.5

treble7

reverb4.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

chorusTom Scholz/Rockman Chorus effect (Rockman built-in, model unknown)

compressionTom Scholz/Rockman Compression effect (Rockman built-in, model unknown)

delayTom Scholz/Rockman Delay effect (Rockman built-in, model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, 1987. Phil Collen played the solo, double-tracked, using the Rockman X100 for the signature processed tone. The Ibanez DT-555 with a Kahler vibrato was specifically mentioned for the solo. No evidence of traditional amps or pedals in the studio chain for this solo; all effects are from the Rockman or post-processing.

Tone Character(10)

processed and compressedsinging sustainbright and harmonically richchorus shimmertight, focused attackstudio-polished clarityfluid melodic phrasingdouble-tracked for widthdistinctive 80s Rockman soundharmonic clarity

Difficulty

The solo requires advanced melodic phrasing, fast picking, and precise articulation to match the polished, harmonized studio sound, making it challenging for most intermediate players.

Sources

6 songs guitarists need to hear by… Def Leppard | MusicRadar Def Leppard – Hysteria - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album Phil Collen talks Def Leppard's orchestral maneuvers, Rockman amps, Mutt Lange… and why he wants the band to play in the round again | MusicRadar Show Us Your Space: Butch Walker and RubyRed Productions

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