Riff Tone

Cool the Engines

Boston

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarScholz custom-built guitar (likely based on Gibson Les Paul or Yamaha SG, as used by Tom Scholz in the 1980s studio recordings)

AmpScholz Rockman X100 (rackmount headphone amp/processor, used for Boston's 'Third Stage' album studio recordings)

PickupsDiMarzio Super Distortion humbuckers (as used by Scholz in this era)

Amp Settings

gain7

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb3.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

compressionScholz Research & Development Rockman X100 (compression, chorus, echo, distortion all-in-one)

Notes

Studio recording, 1985-1986 for 'Third Stage'. Tom Scholz was known for using his Rockman X100 for all guitar tracks on this album, not traditional amps. No evidence of live rig or alternate gear for this song's riff section.

Tone Character(10)

tight, compressed attackbright and articulate highslush, harmonically rich rhythm tonechorused stereo spreadsinging sustain on chordsmidrange punchparticular grit to the tonenot a fuzz or high-gain metal soundslightly scooped low-midspolished, studio-processed clarity

Difficulty

The riff requires fast, accurate picking and tight palm muting to achieve the signature Boston attack, along with precise chord changes and rhythmic accuracy.

Sources

The Boston Marshall rig can now be done with pedals | The Gear Page Studio Innovators: Tom Scholz | Techniques, Tricks & Legacy - InSync Idea from an earlier post, on Boston's discography : r/ClassicRock

This tone has been researched 3 times by the community

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