Riff Tone
Godzilla
Blue Öyster Cult
Guitarrock1970s
Original Gear
Guitar1969 Gibson SG Standard
AmpMarshall 1959SLP Plexi Super Lead (likely original 1970s model, not reissue)
PickupsGibson T-top humbuckers (stock, possibly with Alembic Hot Rod Kit ceramic magnets)
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass6.5
mid6.5
treble6.5
reverb1
presence7
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1977. Buck Dharma has stated he used no pedals on classic recordings, just guitar into amp. No evidence of fuzz or overdrive pedals for the riff section. Some sources mention JCM800 or JCM900 for live, but Plexi is most likely for the original studio recording.
Tone Character(10)
aggressive British crunchtight, percussive riff attackfull-bodied midrangeclassic hard rock drivearticulate pick attackpunchy low endslightly compressed sustainno fuzz or extreme gainclear note separationbridge pickup bite
Difficulty
The riff is built on power chords and straightforward rhythm, but requires tight palm muting, precise timing, and a strong sense of groove to capture the classic rock feel.
Sources
Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear
Create Free AccountGuitarrock1970s
Original Gear
Guitar1969 Gibson SG Standard
AmpMarshall 1959SLP Plexi Super Lead (likely original 1970s model, not reissue)
PickupsGibson T-top humbuckers (stock, possibly with Alembic Hot Rod Kit ceramic magnets)
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass6.5
mid6.5
treble6.5
reverb1
presence7
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1977. Buck Dharma has stated he used no pedals on classic recordings, just guitar into amp. No evidence of fuzz or overdrive pedals for the riff section. Some sources mention JCM800 or JCM900 for live, but Plexi is most likely for the original studio recording.
Tone Character(10)
aggressive British crunchtight, percussive riff attackfull-bodied midrangeclassic hard rock drivearticulate pick attackpunchy low endslightly compressed sustainno fuzz or extreme gainclear note separationbridge pickup bite
Difficulty
The riff is built on power chords and straightforward rhythm, but requires tight palm muting, precise timing, and a strong sense of groove to capture the classic rock feel.
More Blue Öyster Cult tones
- Burnin' for You · riff
- (Don't Fear) The Reaper · riff
- (Don't Fear) The Reaper · riff
- (Don't Fear) The Reaper · solo
- Cities On Flame With Rock and Roll · riff
- I Love the Night · riff
- Then Came the Last Days of May · solo
- Then Came the Last Days of May · solo
- Then Came the Last Days of May · riff