Riff Tone

Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)

Styx

Guitarrock1970s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1970s model)

AmpMarshall amplifier (likely JMP or Super Lead, 1970s era)

PickupsGibson humbuckers (likely T-Top or similar 1970s humbuckers)

Amp Settings

gain6

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb2

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1978. No direct evidence of pedals or effects used for the riff section; classic rock setup typical for Styx at the time. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the riff section.

Tone Character(10)

classic British crunchtight and percussivearticulate attackmidrange punchslightly saturated rhythmclear note separationaggressive bridge pickupminimal ambienceno modulation or delayclassic rock drive

Difficulty

The riff requires fast, accurate alternate picking and tight palm muting at a brisk tempo, with precise timing and articulation to maintain clarity in the driving rhythm.

Sources

Blue Collar Man - Styx - Guitar Lesson - YouTube How to Play BLUE COLLAR MAN - Styx. Guitar lesson / walkthrough.

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