Riff Tone
Miss America
Styx
Guitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (likely 1970s, James 'JY' Young's main guitar for heavy tracks)
AmpMarshall JMP 100-watt head (1970s, likely Super Lead or Master Volume, into Marshall 4x12 cabinet)
PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock, late 1970s)
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass6.5
mid7
treble7
reverb2
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1977 album 'The Grand Illusion'. No evidence of pedals or effects other than amp distortion for the riff. No evidence of live-specific gear or alternate guitars for the riff section.
Tone Character(10)
thick and saturatedmid-forward classic rock crunchtight palm-muted attackarticulate and punchyaggressive pick responsesustained power chordsslightly compresseddynamic and percussivenot scooped, strong midsBritish amp bite
Difficulty
The riff requires precise palm muting, fast alternate picking, and clean execution of power chords at a moderate tempo, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (likely 1970s, James 'JY' Young's main guitar for heavy tracks)
AmpMarshall JMP 100-watt head (1970s, likely Super Lead or Master Volume, into Marshall 4x12 cabinet)
PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock, late 1970s)
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass6.5
mid7
treble7
reverb2
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1977 album 'The Grand Illusion'. No evidence of pedals or effects other than amp distortion for the riff. No evidence of live-specific gear or alternate guitars for the riff section.
Tone Character(10)
thick and saturatedmid-forward classic rock crunchtight palm-muted attackarticulate and punchyaggressive pick responsesustained power chordsslightly compresseddynamic and percussivenot scooped, strong midsBritish amp bite
Difficulty
The riff requires precise palm muting, fast alternate picking, and clean execution of power chords at a moderate tempo, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.
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