Solo Tone

Elephant Talk

King Crimson

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarCustom Fender Stratocaster (Adrian Belew, early 1980s, likely with DiMarzio pickups)

AmpRoland JC-120 Jazz Chorus

PickupsDiMarzio single-coil (exact model unknown, likely FS-1 or SDS-1 based on era and interviews)

Amp Settings

gain3.5

bass5

mid6.5

treble7.5

reverb1

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

fuzzElectro-Harmonix Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi V5 (Op-Amp)

flangerElectro-Harmonix Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Electric Mistress Flanger

Notes

Studio recording, 1981 (Discipline album). Gear confirmed for this era and song by multiple interviews and rig rundowns. The solo features heavy use of effects pedals for the 'elephant' sound.

Tone Character(10)

fuzzy and trumpet-likemodulated, wavering pitchbright and cuttingcompressed and percussivesynth-like, animalistic timbrepronounced flanger sweepoctave-up harmonicsartificial, vocal-like phrasingstaccato attacksustain with pitch bends

Difficulty

The solo requires advanced control of effects, creative use of pitch bends and slides, and precise timing to achieve the signature 'elephant' sound, making it challenging for most players.

Sources

Adrian Belew – Lone Rhino - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album Stock Pedal Magic: Unlock New Sounds with Ease - Premier Guitar Discipline Era - Gear : r/KingCrimson Why does that one solo on Elephant Talk sound like that? - Reddit

Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear

Create Free Account