Riff Tone
Life Is a Highway
Tom Cochrane
Guitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely 1980s/early 1990s Canadian model, maple neck, stock single-coil pickups)
AmpFender Twin Reverb (likely Silverface or early reissue, as used by Tom Cochrane in early 1990s studio sessions)
PickupsFender single-coil (stock Strat pickups, 1991 era)
Amp Settings
gain4.5
bass6
mid6.5
treble7
reverb3
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1991, for the Mad Mad World album. No direct evidence of pedals or amp model in sources, but period interviews and genre context strongly suggest Strat into Fender Twin Reverb for the riff section. No evidence of additional pedals or effects for the main riff.
Tone Character(10)
bright and articulateslightly gritty edge-of-breakuptight and percussive attackpresent upper midsclear note separationdynamic response to pickingtwangy highsfull-bodied rhythmminimal compressionopen, ringing chords
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, fast strumming with a swinging feel and clear note separation, but uses straightforward chord shapes and picking patterns, making it accessible to intermediate players.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely 1980s/early 1990s Canadian model, maple neck, stock single-coil pickups)
AmpFender Twin Reverb (likely Silverface or early reissue, as used by Tom Cochrane in early 1990s studio sessions)
PickupsFender single-coil (stock Strat pickups, 1991 era)
Amp Settings
gain4.5
bass6
mid6.5
treble7
reverb3
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1991, for the Mad Mad World album. No direct evidence of pedals or amp model in sources, but period interviews and genre context strongly suggest Strat into Fender Twin Reverb for the riff section. No evidence of additional pedals or effects for the main riff.
Tone Character(10)
bright and articulateslightly gritty edge-of-breakuptight and percussive attackpresent upper midsclear note separationdynamic response to pickingtwangy highsfull-bodied rhythmminimal compressionopen, ringing chords
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, fast strumming with a swinging feel and clear note separation, but uses straightforward chord shapes and picking patterns, making it accessible to intermediate players.
Life Is a Highway settings for your amp
Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.