Riff Tone

Eyes Without a Face

Billy Idol

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarHamer SS Signature (Steve Stevens, early 80s, likely used on Eyes Without a Face studio recording)

AmpMarshall JCM800 (most likely, based on Steve Stevens' rig for Rebel Yell album sessions)

PickupsDiMarzio humbuckers (exact model unspecified, likely Super Distortion or PAF Pro era-correct)

Amp Settings

gain4.5

bass6

mid6.5

treble6.5

reverb2.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

chorusBoss Boss CE-2 Chorus

Notes

Studio recording, 1983-1984. Gear confirmed for Rebel Yell album sessions by pedalboard photo and interviews. No evidence of alternate guitar or amp for this song's riff section. Chorus pedal (Boss CE-2) confirmed on pedalboard used for recording. No evidence of live rig differences for this song's riff. No evidence of additional effects or amp reverb for the main riff.

Tone Character(10)

lush and spaciouswarm and roundedchorus shimmerslightly edgy cleanstudio-polished clarityarticulate attacknot compressedsubtle amp breakupexpansive stereo imagenot high-gain

Difficulty

The riff requires clean, precise picking and dynamic control to maintain clarity with chorus and slight amp breakup, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast playing.

Sources

Billy Idol & Billy Idol – Rebel Yell - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard Billy Idol Members, Gear & Sound | Equipboard

This tone has been researched 4 times by the community

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