Riff Tone

It's Not Love

Dokken

Guitarmetal1980s

Original Gear

GuitarESP Kamikaze 1

AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (likely modded, 100W head)

PickupsSeymour Duncan Screamin' Demon (bridge humbucker)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass5.5

mid5.5

treble7.5

reverb1.5

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer

Notes

Studio recording, 1985 (album: Under Lock and Key). George Lynch's main rhythm tone for 'It's Not Love' riff. No evidence of live/touring substitutions. Gear inferred from era, interviews, and visual evidence from music video and studio photos.

Tone Character(8)

tight and punchyaggressive palm mutingmid-forward crunchsaturated but clearpercussive attackslightly scooped lowsarticulate note separation80s LA metal rhythm sound

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, percussive palm muting and precise alternate picking to maintain the groove and clarity at a medium tempo shuffle, demanding good right-hand control and dynamic accenting.

Sources

George Lynch's Guitars, Gear & Pedals | Equipboard Dokken: It's Not Love | The Gear Page George Lynch shows us what’s on his pedalboard | Guitar World

This tone has been researched 3 times by the community

Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear

Create Free Account