Riff Tone
Borrowed Time
Styx
Guitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (late 1970s, likely black finish, as used by James 'J.Y.' Young on Cornerstone album)
AmpMarshall JMP 2203 100W head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (likely Celestion G12-65 speakers)
PickupsGibson humbuckers (likely T-Top or Super Humbucker, stock for era)
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb2.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1979. No evidence of additional pedals or effects for the riff section. All evidence points to a straight Les Paul into a cranked Marshall JMP, as was J.Y.'s signature setup for this era. No evidence of live rig or later-era gear being used on this recording.
Tone Character(10)
British crunch with classic Marshall bitePunchy, articulate rhythm attackTight palm-muted power chordsFull-bodied midrange presenceSlightly compressed, harmonically richAggressive pick attackBright but not harsh top endSolid low-end punchNo audible modulation or time-based effectsClassic late-70s arena rock rhythm tone
Difficulty
The riff requires solid palm muting and rhythmic accuracy, but uses standard power chords and moderate tempo, making it accessible to intermediate players.
Sources
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Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (late 1970s, likely black finish, as used by James 'J.Y.' Young on Cornerstone album)
AmpMarshall JMP 2203 100W head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (likely Celestion G12-65 speakers)
PickupsGibson humbuckers (likely T-Top or Super Humbucker, stock for era)
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb2.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1979. No evidence of additional pedals or effects for the riff section. All evidence points to a straight Les Paul into a cranked Marshall JMP, as was J.Y.'s signature setup for this era. No evidence of live rig or later-era gear being used on this recording.
Tone Character(10)
British crunch with classic Marshall bitePunchy, articulate rhythm attackTight palm-muted power chordsFull-bodied midrange presenceSlightly compressed, harmonically richAggressive pick attackBright but not harsh top endSolid low-end punchNo audible modulation or time-based effectsClassic late-70s arena rock rhythm tone
Difficulty
The riff requires solid palm muting and rhythmic accuracy, but uses standard power chords and moderate tempo, making it accessible to intermediate players.
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