Solo Tone

Love Bites

Def Leppard

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarJackson Soloist (Phil Collen's main guitar on Hysteria sessions, likely used for solos)

AmpScholz Rockman X100 headphone amp (studio recording, not a traditional amp; used for all main distorted tones on Hysteria including 'Love Bites' solo)

PickupsJackson J-50BC humbucker (bridge position, high-output, stock on Collen's Soloist at the time)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass6

mid4

treble7

reverb4

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

chorusBoss Boss CE-2 Chorus

delayUnknown Digital Delay (model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, 1986-1987. Phil Collen and Steve Clark both used Rockman units for the main distorted tones on 'Love Bites' due to producer Mutt Lange's direction for a polished, layered sound. A small Gallien-Krueger amp was used for some feedback in the intro, but the solo and main heavy sections are Rockman. Boss CE-2 Chorus was used for modulation. No evidence of Marshall or JMP-1 on the original studio solo. All evidence points to Rockman for the solo section.

Tone Character(10)

polished and compressedsinging sustainbright and articulatetight, focused midssmooth, sustaining solo linesdistinct stereo chorus shimmerstudio-processed claritylayered, harmonized leadsno raw amp breakuphigh-gain saturation

Difficulty

The solo requires intermediate to advanced phrasing, expressive bends, and precise timing to match the layered, harmonized lines and delay repeats. Not technically extreme, but demands control and feel.

Sources

The Gear Used By Phil Collen and Steve Clark on Def Leppard’s ‘Hysteria’ | Guitar.com Def Leppard – Hysteria - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album Def Leppard Amp Settings (gear and tone tips)

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Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarJackson Soloist (Phil Collen's main guitar on Hysteria sessions, likely used for solos)

AmpScholz Rockman X100 headphone amp (studio recording, not a traditional amp; used for all main distorted tones on Hysteria including 'Love Bites' solo)

PickupsJackson J-50BC humbucker (bridge position, high-output, stock on Collen's Soloist at the time)