Solo Tone
La Villa Strangiato
Rush
Guitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster (white, heavily modified, aka 'Hentor Sportscaster')
AmpMarshall 50-watt head (likely JMP), Fender Twin Reverb (for clean blend), possibly Hiwatt (less likely for solo), Roland Jazz Chorus JC-120 (for chorus tones, but not solo)
PickupsBill Lawrence humbucker (bridge position), single coils (neck/middle)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb2.5
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
delayMaestro Echoplex (tape delay, likely EP-3 or similar)
delayMaestro Echoplex (second delay, longer setting)
otherMorley Morley Volume Pedal
Notes
Studio recording, 1978. The solo was overdubbed with the Hentor Sportscaster Strat, not the ES-355 used for rhythm. Marshall 50-watt head is the main amp for the solo, with possible Fender Twin blend. Effects are from pedals, not amp. No evidence of live rig or later era gear used on this recording.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainmetallic, slightly processedmournful and emotiveexpressive bends and swellscrunchy yet smoothclear note separationambient with reverb and delayslightly bright top endharmonics slide into each otherdynamic and touch-sensitive
Difficulty
The solo is considered one of the most technically demanding in classic rock, requiring mastery of phrasing, volume pedal swells, fast runs, and expressive bends, all while maintaining dynamic control and clarity.
Sources
The 25 greatest classic rock guitar tones of all time | Guitar WorldRush – A Farewell To Kings - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard"Each time I'm about to play it, I take a deep breath and I exhale on that first note": 5 songs guitarists need to hear by… Rush | MusicRadarAlex Lifeson breaks down 11 landmark Rush songs | Guitar World“He’d start, ‘You’ll never guess what I dreamed last night…’ and the groaning would begin”: How Rush marshalled Alex Lifeson’s dreams to write a bona-fide prog-rock classic | MusicRadar
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster (white, heavily modified, aka 'Hentor Sportscaster')
AmpMarshall 50-watt head (likely JMP), Fender Twin Reverb (for clean blend), possibly Hiwatt (less likely for solo), Roland Jazz Chorus JC-120 (for chorus tones, but not solo)
PickupsBill Lawrence humbucker (bridge position), single coils (neck/middle)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb2.5
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
delayMaestro Echoplex (tape delay, likely EP-3 or similar)
delayMaestro Echoplex (second delay, longer setting)
otherMorley Morley Volume Pedal
Sources
The 25 greatest classic rock guitar tones of all time | Guitar WorldRush – A Farewell To Kings - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard"Each time I'm about to play it, I take a deep breath and I exhale on that first note": 5 songs guitarists need to hear by… Rush | MusicRadarAlex Lifeson breaks down 11 landmark Rush songs | Guitar World“He’d start, ‘You’ll never guess what I dreamed last night…’ and the groaning would begin”: How Rush marshalled Alex Lifeson’s dreams to write a bona-fide prog-rock classic | MusicRadar
Notes
Studio recording, 1978. The solo was overdubbed with the Hentor Sportscaster Strat, not the ES-355 used for rhythm. Marshall 50-watt head is the main amp for the solo, with possible Fender Twin blend. Effects are from pedals, not amp. No evidence of live rig or later era gear used on this recording.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainmetallic, slightly processedmournful and emotiveexpressive bends and swellscrunchy yet smoothclear note separationambient with reverb and delayslightly bright top endharmonics slide into each otherdynamic and touch-sensitive
Difficulty
The solo is considered one of the most technically demanding in classic rock, requiring mastery of phrasing, volume pedal swells, fast runs, and expressive bends, all while maintaining dynamic control and clarity.
La Villa Strangiato settings for your amp
Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.
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