Riff Tone

Limelight

Rush

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (black, modified with humbucker in bridge, Schaller neck)

AmpMarshall 50-watt head (likely JMP or JCM800, as used on Moving Pictures sessions)

PickupsBridge position humbucker (exact model unknown, likely DiMarzio or Seymour Duncan, as per era modding trends)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb2.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

chorusUnknown Chorus pedal (model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, 1980-1981. Guitar was a heavily modified Stratocaster with a humbucker in the bridge. Amp was a Marshall 50-watt head, not Hughes & Kettner (which came later).

Tone Character(10)

chiming clean chordsbright and articulateslightly compressedglassy top endclear note separationmodulation shimmerstudio ambienceno audible drivepercussive attacklush clean texture

Difficulty

The clean riff requires tight rhythmic accuracy, precise muting, and dynamic control to maintain clarity with chorus effect. The syncopated stabs and arpeggios are moderately challenging, especially at the album tempo.

Sources

Alex Lifeson's Guitar Gear, Pedalboard & Amps - Equipboard Alex Lifeson breaks down 11 landmark Rush songs | Guitar World

This tone has been researched 2 times by the community

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