Solo Tone
Hard to Say I'm Sorry / Get Away
Chicago
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarSteve Lukather's 1979 Valley Arts Custom Pro (Strat-style, HSS configuration)
AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (studio recording, 1982)
PickupsEMG SA single coils (neck/middle), EMG 85 humbucker (bridge, active)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb3.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown)
compressionUnknown Compressor pedal (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, 1982. Steve Lukather played the solo as a session musician. Guitar was a Valley Arts Custom Pro with EMG pickups. Amp was a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ per Lukather's typical studio rig of the era. No evidence of live rig or alternate gear for this solo.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainsmooth and liquid lead toneslightly compressedwarm upper midsclear note separationstudio-polished claritymoderate gain, not high-gaintouch-sensitive dynamicsarticulate attackcontrolled feedback on long notes
Difficulty
The solo requires advanced phrasing, smooth legato, expressive bends, and precise timing to match the studio-polished sound and delay repeats.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarSteve Lukather's 1979 Valley Arts Custom Pro (Strat-style, HSS configuration)
AmpMesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (studio recording, 1982)
PickupsEMG SA single coils (neck/middle), EMG 85 humbucker (bridge, active)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb3.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown)
compressionUnknown Compressor pedal (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, 1982. Steve Lukather played the solo as a session musician. Guitar was a Valley Arts Custom Pro with EMG pickups. Amp was a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ per Lukather's typical studio rig of the era. No evidence of live rig or alternate gear for this solo.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainsmooth and liquid lead toneslightly compressedwarm upper midsclear note separationstudio-polished claritymoderate gain, not high-gaintouch-sensitive dynamicsarticulate attackcontrolled feedback on long notes
Difficulty
The solo requires advanced phrasing, smooth legato, expressive bends, and precise timing to match the studio-polished sound and delay repeats.
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