Riff Tone
Bow River
Cold Chisel
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely late 1970s model, as used by Ian Moss in Cold Chisel era)
AmpMarshall 1974 Super Lead (50-watt, classic Marshall head, as referenced for era and Moss's usage)
PickupsFender single-coil Stratocaster pickups (stock or period-correct replacements)
Amp Settings
gain3.5
bass6
mid7
treble6.5
reverb2
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1982 (Circus Animals album). Ian Moss is documented using a Stratocaster and Marshall Super Lead for this era. No evidence of pedals or alternate amps for the clean riff section. Settings estimated for clean tone based on amp type and genre. No evidence of live rig differences for this part.
Tone Character(10)
bright and glassyarticulate and percussiveslightly compressedtouch-sensitivewarm low end with clear highsdynamic response to pickingmild amp breakup when played hardno audible modulation or delaysubtle spring reverb ambienceclassic Strat clean chime
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, syncopated picking and dynamic control to maintain clarity at a fast tempo, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or complex chord voicings.
Sources
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Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely late 1970s model, as used by Ian Moss in Cold Chisel era)
AmpMarshall 1974 Super Lead (50-watt, classic Marshall head, as referenced for era and Moss's usage)
PickupsFender single-coil Stratocaster pickups (stock or period-correct replacements)
Amp Settings
gain3.5
bass6
mid7
treble6.5
reverb2
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1982 (Circus Animals album). Ian Moss is documented using a Stratocaster and Marshall Super Lead for this era. No evidence of pedals or alternate amps for the clean riff section. Settings estimated for clean tone based on amp type and genre. No evidence of live rig differences for this part.
Tone Character(10)
bright and glassyarticulate and percussiveslightly compressedtouch-sensitivewarm low end with clear highsdynamic response to pickingmild amp breakup when played hardno audible modulation or delaysubtle spring reverb ambienceclassic Strat clean chime
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, syncopated picking and dynamic control to maintain clarity at a fast tempo, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or complex chord voicings.
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