Riff Tone

Moonlight Shadow (Remastered 2013)

Mike Oldfield

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely 1970s, maple neck, stock single-coil pickups)

AmpVox AC30 (used in studio chain, possibly blended with Fender Twin Reverb for warmth)

PickupsFender single-coil (stock Strat pickups, 1970s era)

Amp Settings

gain3.5

bass5.5

mid6.5

treble7.5

reverb4.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

boostUnknown Treble booster (model unknown)

compressionUnknown Compressor (model unknown)

eqUnknown Graphic EQ (model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, 1982-1983 (Remastered 2013 is a remaster of the original 1983 recording). Mike Oldfield's signal chain for 'Moonlight Shadow' riff section is well-documented: Stratocaster into a treble booster, into a small battery-powered Vox amp, then into the mic preamp of a Teac tape recorder (overdriven), then graphic EQ, then mixing desk. Sometimes the signal was also sent to a Fender Twin Reverb for added warmth and reverb, then mic'd. No evidence of live rig or other guitars for this section.

Tone Character(10)

bright and articulatesuper-hi-fi clarityslightly compressed for sustainsparkling top endtight, controlled low endeven dynamicsclean with slight edge from treble boosterstudio-polishedminimal breakuppresent mids

Difficulty

The riff requires precise picking and clean articulation to maintain the bright, hi-fi tone, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast passages.

Sources

Yet again... How does Mike Oldfield get that unique clean guitar ...Mike Oldfield style lead tone?

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