Riff Tone
Johnny B. Goode (feat. The Starlighters)
Marty McFly
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson ES-345 (Sixties Cherry, as seen in Back to the Future film)
AmpFender 'Narrow Panel Tweed' Bandmaster 5E7 (1955-1960)
PickupsGibson PAF-style humbuckers (Custombucker or equivalent, as per film prop and reissues)
Amp Settings
gain3
bass6
mid6.5
treble7.5
reverb2.5
presence5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio mimed performance for 1985 film 'Back to the Future', set in 1955. Guitar is anachronistic (ES-345 introduced in 1959), but this is the exact prop used in the riff section. Amp is visually confirmed as a Fender Tweed Bandmaster or clone. No evidence of pedals or outboard effects for the riff section.
Tone Character(10)
bright and biting attackslightly gritty edge-of-breakupclear and articulate single notessnappy and percussive rhythmfull-bodied midrange presencedynamic and touch-sensitive responsevintage rock and roll clarityopen and airy highstight low endminimal compression or sustain
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate-level technique due to its fast tempo, shuffle feel, and use of double-stops and string skipping, but does not involve advanced soloing or complex chord voicings.
Sources
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Original Gear
GuitarGibson ES-345 (Sixties Cherry, as seen in Back to the Future film)
AmpFender 'Narrow Panel Tweed' Bandmaster 5E7 (1955-1960)
PickupsGibson PAF-style humbuckers (Custombucker or equivalent, as per film prop and reissues)
Amp Settings
gain3
bass6
mid6.5
treble7.5
reverb2.5
presence5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio mimed performance for 1985 film 'Back to the Future', set in 1955. Guitar is anachronistic (ES-345 introduced in 1959), but this is the exact prop used in the riff section. Amp is visually confirmed as a Fender Tweed Bandmaster or clone. No evidence of pedals or outboard effects for the riff section.
Tone Character(10)
bright and biting attackslightly gritty edge-of-breakupclear and articulate single notessnappy and percussive rhythmfull-bodied midrange presencedynamic and touch-sensitive responsevintage rock and roll clarityopen and airy highstight low endminimal compression or sustain
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate-level technique due to its fast tempo, shuffle feel, and use of double-stops and string skipping, but does not involve advanced soloing or complex chord voicings.