Solo Tone

Devil Take the Hindmost

Allan Holdsworth

Guitarjazz1980s

Original Gear

GuitarCharvel San Dimas-style custom Strat (early 80s, single humbucker, no pickguard, maple neck)

AmpJim Kelley Line Amp (early 1980s, combo, clean/lead switchable, no built-in effects except reverb)

PickupsSeymour Duncan JB humbucker (bridge position, direct mounted)

Amp Settings

gain6.5

bass6

mid7.5

treble6.5

reverb3

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

delayUnknown Delay unit (model unknown, likely rack or studio)

Notes

Studio recording, 1985 album Metal Fatigue. Gear confirmed for this session: custom Charvel/Jackson Strat-style with single bridge humbucker, Jim Kelley Line Amp. No evidence of other guitars or amps used for this solo. No evidence of pedal overdrive/distortion; gain from amp and high output pickup. Effects are delay and reverb, likely rack or studio units, not pedals. No chorus/flanger/phaser audible or cited for this solo.

Tone Character(10)

singing sustainliquid legato phrasingsmooth, violin-like lead tonehigh-gain saturation without harshnessfat, round, compressedvery little pick attack, almost synth-likeclear, articulate note separationdelay repeats on long linesreverb tail present but subtleno fizz or harsh top end

Difficulty

This solo is considered one of the most technically demanding in fusion guitar, requiring expert-level legato technique, speed, phrasing, and fretboard mastery.

Sources

Bad last couple of days with Helix :( - update post #109 w/ audio Jim Kelley Line amp the very first one circa 1983 | Page 5 Allan Holdsworth: 1946–2017 - Premier Guitar

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