Solo Tone

Fire Woman

The Cult

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom 'Woodie' (1979, finish removed from front)

AmpMarshall JCM800 (paired with Matchless DC-30 in studio, but Marshall is primary for heavy solo tone)

PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock 1979 Les Paul Custom)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb2

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

flangerBoss Boss BF-2 Flanger

delayBoss Boss DD-3 Digital Delay

Notes

Studio recording, 1989. For 'Fire Woman' solo, Billy Duffy used his Les Paul Custom into a Marshall JCM800, with Matchless DC-30 also used in the studio for layering. No Gretsch on this track. Effects chain includes Boss BF-2 Flanger and Boss DD-3 Digital Delay for the solo section.

Tone Character(10)

singing sustainaggressive bridge pickup attackrich harmonic overtonescrunchy British midrangetight low endcutting lead presencemodulated swirl from flangerspacious echo from delayclassic hard rock solo sounddynamic pick attack

Difficulty

The solo requires intermediate to advanced technique due to its fast runs, precise timing with delay, and expressive use of effects, but does not reach shred-level complexity.

Sources

Billy Duffy on his most iconic Gretsch and Gibson guitars | Guitar World The Cult – Fire Woman - Gear & Equipment Used on the Single Boss BF-2 Flanger - What To Know & Where To Buy | Equipboard 25 of the greatest guitar tones of all time | MusicRadar The Cult – Sonic Temple - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard

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