Riff Tone
Easy Money
King Crimson
Guitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (early 1970s, black, likely 1957-1959 model)
AmpHiwatt Custom 100 DR103 head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, 1972-1973)
PickupsGibson PAF humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain5.5
bass6
mid7
treble6.5
reverb1
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
fuzzUnknown Fuzz/Overdrive pedal (model unknown, likely Maestro FZ-1 or similar early 70s fuzz/overdrive)
Notes
Studio recording for 'Larks' Tongues in Aspic' (1972-1973). Fripp used his Les Paul Custom with PAF humbuckers into a Hiwatt DR103 head and Marshall 4x12 cab. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the riff section. No confirmed pedalboard photos from the session; effects inferred from audio and era.
Tone Character(10)
amp-like breakuprich, sustaining drivewarm neck pickup toneslightly dark, rolled-off highspercussive attackthick, punchy rhythmmid-gain crunchexpressive, touch-sensitiveclassic British amp characternot high-gain, but saturated
Difficulty
The riff requires tight rhythmic accuracy, dynamic picking, and control of sustain/feedback, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.
Sources
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Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (early 1970s, black, likely 1957-1959 model)
AmpHiwatt Custom 100 DR103 head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, 1972-1973)
PickupsGibson PAF humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain5.5
bass6
mid7
treble6.5
reverb1
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
fuzzUnknown Fuzz/Overdrive pedal (model unknown, likely Maestro FZ-1 or similar early 70s fuzz/overdrive)
Notes
Studio recording for 'Larks' Tongues in Aspic' (1972-1973). Fripp used his Les Paul Custom with PAF humbuckers into a Hiwatt DR103 head and Marshall 4x12 cab. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the riff section. No confirmed pedalboard photos from the session; effects inferred from audio and era.
Tone Character(10)
amp-like breakuprich, sustaining drivewarm neck pickup toneslightly dark, rolled-off highspercussive attackthick, punchy rhythmmid-gain crunchexpressive, touch-sensitiveclassic British amp characternot high-gain, but saturated
Difficulty
The riff requires tight rhythmic accuracy, dynamic picking, and control of sustain/feedback, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.
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