Solo Tone

Cliffs of Dover

Eric Johnson

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

Guitar1963 Gibson ES-335

Amp1969 Marshall Model 1959 Super Lead 100-watt head

PickupsGibson ES-335 humbuckers (bridge pickup)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass5.5

mid5

treble3.5

reverb2

presence3

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveChandler Chandler Tube Driver

delayMaestro Maestro EP-3 Echoplex

Notes

Studio recording, 1990 album 'Ah Via Musicom'. For the solo section (after 2:45), the ES-335 was used with the Marshall Super Lead, Maestro EP-3 Echoplex, and Chandler/Butler Tube Driver. The Strat was only used for the first 10 seconds of the solo; the main solo is ES-335. Cabinet: Marshall 4x12 with Celestion G12-80 speakers. Effects: Maestro EP-3 Echoplex (tape delay), Chandler/Butler Tube Driver (overdrive). No amp reverb; all ambience is from the room/mix.

Tone Character(10)

sweet, sustaining tonesmooth, non-percussive attackviolin-like lead soundsinging sustainbright and articulate highstouch-sensitive dynamicsclear note separationharmonic overtonesnot harsh or fizzyliquid, fluid phrasing

Difficulty

The solo is considered one of the most technically demanding in rock guitar, requiring expert-level speed, phrasing, and control, with rapid-fire runs, wide intervals, and expressive dynamics.

Sources

Eric Johnson's guitar tone on Cliffs of Dover: secrets behind the sound | Guitar World Rig Rundown: Eric Johnson [2018] - Premier Guitar

This tone has been researched 27 times by the community

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