Riff Tone
Gem
Eric Johnson
Guitarrock1990s
Original Gear
Guitar1954 Fender Stratocaster
Amp1969 Marshall Model 1959 Super Lead 100-watt head into Marshall 4x12 with Celestion G12-80 speakers
PickupsDiMarzio HS-2 (bridge position, single coil mode)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass5.5
mid4.5
treble3
reverb1.5
presence3
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer
Notes
Studio recording, circa 1989 (Ah Via Musicom sessions). Guitar is a '54 Strat with DiMarzio HS-2 in bridge, amp is Marshall Super Lead 100. Settings are inferred from Cliffs of Dover/Ah Via Musicom era, as no direct source for 'Gem' riff exists. No evidence of live rig or alternate gear for this track's riff.
Tone Character(10)
bright and articulatesmooth, violin-like sustaintight, focused rhythmtouch-sensitive responseclear note separationBritish crunch characteredge-of-breakup clarityharmonic richnessdynamic, expressive phrasingslightly compressed attack
Difficulty
The riff requires advanced picking accuracy, tight muting, and rapid position shifts, making it challenging for most players.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1990s
Original Gear
Guitar1954 Fender Stratocaster
Amp1969 Marshall Model 1959 Super Lead 100-watt head into Marshall 4x12 with Celestion G12-80 speakers
PickupsDiMarzio HS-2 (bridge position, single coil mode)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass5.5
mid4.5
treble3
reverb1.5
presence3
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer
Notes
Studio recording, circa 1989 (Ah Via Musicom sessions). Guitar is a '54 Strat with DiMarzio HS-2 in bridge, amp is Marshall Super Lead 100. Settings are inferred from Cliffs of Dover/Ah Via Musicom era, as no direct source for 'Gem' riff exists. No evidence of live rig or alternate gear for this track's riff.
Tone Character(10)
bright and articulatesmooth, violin-like sustaintight, focused rhythmtouch-sensitive responseclear note separationBritish crunch characteredge-of-breakup clarityharmonic richnessdynamic, expressive phrasingslightly compressed attack
Difficulty
The riff requires advanced picking accuracy, tight muting, and rapid position shifts, making it challenging for most players.
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