Riff Tone

Lack of Communication

Ratt

Guitarmetal1980s

Original Gear

GuitarCharvel San Dimas (early 80s, likely custom, with Floyd Rose)

AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (100W head, likely with 4x12 cabinet, studio recording)

PickupsSeymour Duncan JB humbucker (bridge position)

Amp Settings

gain8

bass6

mid5.5

treble7.5

reverb1.5

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

distortionPro Co Pro Co RAT Distortion (likely, but not confirmed for this track)

Notes

Studio recording, 1984 (Out of the Cellar album). Gear inferred from era, genre, and known Ratt studio setups. No direct source confirms exact pedals or amp settings for this song, but Robbin Crosby and Warren DeMartini were known for Charvels with Duncan JBs into JCM800s in the studio.

Tone Character(10)

tight palm-muted chugsaggressive attacksaturated 80s metal rhythmcrisp high-end bitechunky power chordsarticulate pick attackscooped but present midsharmonic-rich distortionpercussive riffingclassic LA glam metal sound

Difficulty

The riff requires tight palm muting and precise picking at a moderate tempo, with fast power chord changes typical of 80s metal, but does not involve advanced techniques or extreme speed.

Sources

Help me figure out RATT's early guitar tone - Reddit Ratt - Lack of Communication : r/Metal - Reddit Guitar soloing like Robbin Crosby (Ratt) : r/hairmetal - Reddit

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