Riff Tone

Knock 'Em Dead, Kid

Mötley Crüe

Guitarmetal1980s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (early 1970s, heavily modified)

AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (100W head) into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (Celestion speakers)

PickupsDiMarzio Super Distortion (bridge), stock Gibson humbucker (neck)

Amp Settings

gain8

bass6

mid5

treble7

reverb1.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1983-1984 for 'Shout at the Devil'. Mick Mars is widely documented using a modified early '70s Gibson Les Paul Custom with a DiMarzio Super Distortion in the bridge for heavy rhythm tracks on this album. The Marshall JCM800 was his primary amp for high-gain rhythm tones in the studio. No direct evidence of pedal use for the main riff section; distortion is primarily from the amp. No evidence of modulation or time-based effects on the riff section.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutingsaturated high-gaincrunchy and bitingfocused low endarticulate power chordsscooped midscompressed attackminimal ambienceclassic Marshall grind

Difficulty

The riff is based on power chords and palm muting at a moderate tempo, requiring tight right-hand control and rhythmic precision, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast lead work.

Sources

Did motley crue rip off Judas Priest? : r/MotleyCrue All content Archive | January 2026

This tone has been researched 3 times by the community

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