Solo Tone
Detroit Rock City
Kiss
Guitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (1970s, likely tobacco burst, used by Ace Frehley)
AmpMarshall Super Lead 100 (Plexi, cranked, 1970s model)
PickupsDiMarzio Super Distortion humbucker (bridge position, period-correct mod for Ace Frehley in the 1976 studio recording)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb2
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1976. Gear confirmed for studio era by multiple interviews and period photos. No evidence of pedals or effects other than amp and studio ambience. This is for the original studio solo, not live or Tommy Thayer era.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainaggressive midrangetight, punchy attackharmonically richslightly compressed from amp overdrivebright but not harshfull-bodied lead tonedynamic pick attackclassic British crunchroom ambience
Difficulty
The solo requires fast picking, accurate bends, and dynamic control to achieve the signature sustain and articulation, making it challenging for intermediate players.
This tone has been researched 3 times by the community
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (1970s, likely tobacco burst, used by Ace Frehley)
AmpMarshall Super Lead 100 (Plexi, cranked, 1970s model)
PickupsDiMarzio Super Distortion humbucker (bridge position, period-correct mod for Ace Frehley in the 1976 studio recording)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb2
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
This tone has been researched 3 times by the community
Notes
Studio recording, 1976. Gear confirmed for studio era by multiple interviews and period photos. No evidence of pedals or effects other than amp and studio ambience. This is for the original studio solo, not live or Tommy Thayer era.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainaggressive midrangetight, punchy attackharmonically richslightly compressed from amp overdrivebright but not harshfull-bodied lead tonedynamic pick attackclassic British crunchroom ambience
Difficulty
The solo requires fast picking, accurate bends, and dynamic control to achieve the signature sustain and articulation, making it challenging for intermediate players.
Detroit Rock City settings for your amp
Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.
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