Riff Tone
Cities On Flame With Rock and Roll
Blue Öyster Cult
Guitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson SG Standard (early 1970s, likely 1971-1972, as used by Buck Dharma on debut album)
AmpMarshall half-stack (likely Marshall Super Lead Plexi, as referenced in Premier Guitar and period-correct for 1972 studio recording)
PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock, early 1970s SG Standard)
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass6.5
mid7
treble7
reverb0.5
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1972 debut album. No evidence of pedals or additional effects in riff section. All tone from guitar and Marshall amp. No live/touring gear included.
Tone Character(10)
classic British crunchtight and punchyaggressive attackmidrange-forwardbright and bitingraw and uncompressedclear note separationdynamic and responsivevintage hard rock driveminimal effects coloration
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, aggressive picking and precise muting to capture the punchy, driving feel. While not technically advanced, it demands rhythmic accuracy and consistent attack.
Sources
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Original Gear
GuitarGibson SG Standard (early 1970s, likely 1971-1972, as used by Buck Dharma on debut album)
AmpMarshall half-stack (likely Marshall Super Lead Plexi, as referenced in Premier Guitar and period-correct for 1972 studio recording)
PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock, early 1970s SG Standard)
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass6.5
mid7
treble7
reverb0.5
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1972 debut album. No evidence of pedals or additional effects in riff section. All tone from guitar and Marshall amp. No live/touring gear included.
Tone Character(10)
classic British crunchtight and punchyaggressive attackmidrange-forwardbright and bitingraw and uncompressedclear note separationdynamic and responsivevintage hard rock driveminimal effects coloration
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, aggressive picking and precise muting to capture the punchy, driving feel. While not technically advanced, it demands rhythmic accuracy and consistent attack.
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