Solo Tone
Easy
The Commodores
Guitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson ES-335 (likely, as used by Thomas McClary in this era, but not 100% confirmed for this session)
AmpDirect to mixing board/mic preamp (no guitar amp used for solo, according to consensus from multiple sources)
PickupsGibson humbuckers (likely original PAF or T-Top, not confirmed for this session)
Amp Settings
gain5.5
bass6
mid6
treble6.5
reverb3
presence5
Effects & Signal Chain
fuzzUnknown Fuzz pedal (model unknown, possibly MXR Blue Box or similar)
Notes
Studio recording, 1977. Solo section was likely recorded direct to the mixing board or through a mic preamp, not a traditional guitar amp. No evidence of live rig or amp use for the solo. No evidence of specific pedal use, but fuzz/distortion is clearly present and may be from direct input overdrive or fuzz pedal.
Tone Character(10)
buzzy and compressedthick, mid-heavy fuzzslightly gated sustaingreasy, saturated solo tonenot a classic amp sounddirect, raw, and unfilteredslight top-end sizzlenot overly bright or scoopedlo-fi, tape-saturated feeldistinctive, vocal-like fuzz
Difficulty
The solo requires intermediate-level phrasing, expressive bends, and control over sustain and vibrato, but does not involve advanced speed or complex techniques.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson ES-335 (likely, as used by Thomas McClary in this era, but not 100% confirmed for this session)
AmpDirect to mixing board/mic preamp (no guitar amp used for solo, according to consensus from multiple sources)
PickupsGibson humbuckers (likely original PAF or T-Top, not confirmed for this session)
Amp Settings
gain5.5
bass6
mid6
treble6.5
reverb3
presence5
Effects & Signal Chain
fuzzUnknown Fuzz pedal (model unknown, possibly MXR Blue Box or similar)
Notes
Studio recording, 1977. Solo section was likely recorded direct to the mixing board or through a mic preamp, not a traditional guitar amp. No evidence of live rig or amp use for the solo. No evidence of specific pedal use, but fuzz/distortion is clearly present and may be from direct input overdrive or fuzz pedal.
Tone Character(10)
buzzy and compressedthick, mid-heavy fuzzslightly gated sustaingreasy, saturated solo tonenot a classic amp sounddirect, raw, and unfilteredslight top-end sizzlenot overly bright or scoopedlo-fi, tape-saturated feeldistinctive, vocal-like fuzz
Difficulty
The solo requires intermediate-level phrasing, expressive bends, and control over sustain and vibrato, but does not involve advanced speed or complex techniques.
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