Riff Tone

Bang a Gong (Get It On)

T. Rex

Guitarrock1970s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (1953, refinished in black, with zebra humbucker in bridge)

AmpVox AC30 (early 1960s, likely Top Boost model, cranked for overdrive)

PickupsBridge: DiMarzio Super Distortion (humbucker), Neck: PAF-style humbucker

Amp Settings

gain6.5

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb2

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1971. Marc Bolan's main guitar for 'Bang a Gong (Get It On)' riff was a black refinished 1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard with a DiMarzio Super Distortion bridge pickup, into a cranked Vox AC30. No evidence of pedals or additional effects in the riff section. All information is specific to the studio recording, not live performances.

Tone Character(9)

classic British crunchmidrange-forward glam rock bitefat, punchy riff soundslightly compressed and saturatedtight, percussive attackwarm, harmonically rich overdrivenot fuzzy, but thick and sustainingdistinct pick attackminimal ambience

Difficulty

The riff is iconic but technically straightforward, requiring tight rhythm, clean muting, and a strong sense of groove rather than advanced technique.

Sources

Marc Bolan LPT: Legendary sounds we still hold influential were made ...

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