Riff Tone
Mr. Blue Sky
Electric Light Orchestra
Guitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (likely 1970s, Jeff Lynne's main guitar in this era)
AmpMarshall amplifier (likely JMP or Super Lead, typical for ELO's 1970s studio work)
PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock 1970s Les Paul Custom)
Amp Settings
gain4
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb3
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1977; no direct evidence of pedals or alternate guitars for the riff section. Gear inferred from era, band photos, and typical ELO studio setup. No evidence of effects loop or unusual amp configuration.
Tone Character(10)
bright and articulatetight and percussiveslightly overdriven edgeclear note separationmid-forward presenceclassic British crunchpunchy attackno audible effectsstudio-polished claritynot saturated or fuzzy
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, percussive rhythm work and precise muting, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or fast runs.
Sources
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Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (likely 1970s, Jeff Lynne's main guitar in this era)
AmpMarshall amplifier (likely JMP or Super Lead, typical for ELO's 1970s studio work)
PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock 1970s Les Paul Custom)
Amp Settings
gain4
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb3
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1977; no direct evidence of pedals or alternate guitars for the riff section. Gear inferred from era, band photos, and typical ELO studio setup. No evidence of effects loop or unusual amp configuration.
Tone Character(10)
bright and articulatetight and percussiveslightly overdriven edgeclear note separationmid-forward presenceclassic British crunchpunchy attackno audible effectsstudio-polished claritynot saturated or fuzzy
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, percussive rhythm work and precise muting, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or fast runs.
More Electric Light Orchestra tones
- Don't Bring Me Down · riff
- Just for Love · solo
- Last Train to London · riff
- Mr. Blue Sky · solo
- Mr. Blue Sky · solo