Riff Tone

Cowboy Song

Thin Lizzy

Guitarrock1970s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard

AmpMarshall JMP100 (1970s, non-master volume head)

PickupsGibson humbuckers (likely original PAF-style, not DiMarzio or aftermarket)

Amp Settings

gain6

bass6

mid7

treble6.5

reverb2

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1976 (Jailbreak album). Gear confirmed for this era and song by multiple sources. No evidence of DiMarzio pickups on this recording. No evidence of additional gain/distortion pedals for the riff section. Delay and wah were used live and in solos, but not in the main riff.

Tone Character(10)

classic British crunchtight, punchy rhythmmid-forward rock toneclear note separationarticulate power chordswarm but cuttingpercussive attacksinging sustain (on leads)no excessive saturationharmonised dual guitars

Difficulty

The riff requires precise timing, tight rhythm playing, and dynamic control to lock in with the dual guitar harmonies, but does not involve advanced lead techniques.

Sources

Thin Lizzy- Live & Dangerous guitar tones - Third party Rigs discussion - Kemper Profiler Forum Amp Settings for "Boys Are Back in Town" by Thin Lizzy - Guitar Chalk Learn to play Cowboy Song by Thin Lizzy | LickLibrary

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