Riff Tone

Freedom

Alice Cooper

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (likely, based on era and Alice Cooper band gear in late 1980s)

AmpMarshall JCM800 (likely, based on era, genre, and Alice Cooper band studio/live rig in late 1980s)

PickupsHumbucker (likely Gibson stock humbuckers, possibly Dirty Fingers or 490/498T, as per late 80s Les Paul Customs)

Amp Settings

gain7

bass6

mid6

treble7

reverb1.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1987; no direct source confirms exact guitar/amp for 'Freedom' riff, but period-correct Alice Cooper band gear and genre/era analysis strongly indicate Les Paul Custom into Marshall JCM800 for main riff. No evidence of pedal use for main riff section; likely straight into amp.

Tone Character(10)

tight and punchyclassic Marshall crunchmid-forward and cuttingaggressive attackarticulate palm-mutingslight amp reverb for spacebridge pickup bitefull-bodied rhythmno audible modulation or delay80s hard rock rhythm sound

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, fast alternate picking and precise palm muting at a brisk tempo, but does not involve advanced techniques or complex chord voicings.

Sources

Interview: Orianthi - Finding Freedom - Premier Guitar John McCurry shares the stories behind his biggest hits - Guitar World

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