Riff Tone

Double Vision

Foreigner

Guitarrock1970s

Original Gear

Guitar1957 Gibson Les Paul Custom (modded, middle pickup removed, direct-to-output switch)

AmpMarshall 100-watt head (likely JMP or Super Lead) into Hiwatt cabinets with Fane speakers

PickupsGibson PAF humbuckers (bridge position, direct to output)

Amp Settings

gain6.5

bass6.5

mid7

treble7

reverb2

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1978. Mick Jones used his '57 Les Paul Custom with the bridge pickup wired direct to output for maximum output and clarity. Amp was a 100-watt Marshall head into Hiwatt cabs. No evidence of effects loop or rack gear; mostly straight in with minimal pedals. Some sources mention a clean boost pedal was used live, but no studio evidence for the riff section.

Tone Character(10)

British crunchtight, punchy rhythm attackfull-bodied midrangearticulate power chord clarityslightly compressed, saturated drivebridge pickup biteminimal reverb, dry studio soundclassic late-70s arena rock tonedirect, in-your-face riff presenceno audible modulation or delay

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, punchy power chord playing with palm muting and rhythmic accuracy, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast tempo, making it accessible to intermediate players.

Sources

Dear Guitar Hero: Mick Jones Talks Foreigner, Producing Van Halen's '5150' and Hanging Out with The Beatles | Guitar World Foreigner at 40: Mick Jones Talks New Compilation Album, Gear and Autobiography | Guitar World

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