Riff Tone

Looks That Kill

Mötley Crüe

Guitarmetal1980s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (1970s, modified with DiMarzio Super Distortion bridge pickup)

AmpMarshall JMP 2203 (modded, late 1970s/early 1980s, likely with Jose or Lee Jackson mod)

PickupsDiMarzio Super Distortion (bridge humbucker)

Amp Settings

gain8

bass6

mid4.5

treble7.5

reverb0.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording for 'Shout at the Devil' (1983). Mick Mars used his black Les Paul Custom with a DiMarzio Super Distortion in the bridge and a modded Marshall JMP 2203 head. No evidence of pedals used for the main riff; distortion is from amp and pickup. No chorus, flanger, or delay audible or cited for riff. Effects loop not used; straight in.

Tone Character(10)

aggressive and saturatedtight and percussivescooped mids for claritybright and cuttingchunky palm-muted riffingcompressed, focused distortionminimal ambience (dry)high output, biting attackclassic 80s metal cruncharticulate power chords

Difficulty

The riff is rhythmically straightforward but requires tight palm muting and consistent attack for the classic 80s metal sound. Moderate difficulty due to tempo and articulation.

Sources

Mötley Crüe's 'Looks That Kill' Song Secrets Revealed - Premier Guitar How do I make my tone sound more like Mick Mars/Mötley Crüe This guy wrote some killer riffs : r/hairmetal

This tone has been researched 7 times by the community

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