Riff Tone

Peace of Mind

Boston

Guitarrock1970s

Original Gear

Guitar1970s Gibson Les Paul Goldtop

AmpMarshall Super Lead (Plexi) with custom Scholz modifications and Power Soak

PickupsGibson P90 single-coil pickups

Amp Settings

gain6.5

bass6.5

mid7

treble7

reverb2.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

chorusUnknown Chorus effect (custom rack unit, model unknown)

delayUnknown Analog delay (custom rack unit, model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, 1975-1976. Tom Scholz recorded the riff section using his Les Paul Goldtop with P90s into a Marshall Super Lead, heavily modified and attenuated with a Power Soak. Effects were added via custom-built rack units, not pedals. No Rockman was used on the debut album.

Tone Character(10)

tight and harmonically richlush stereo double-tracked sounddistinct chorused shimmerclear and articulate attacksinging sustain on chordsslightly compressed and polishedmidrange-forward classic rock presencenot overly saturated, retains note definitionsubtle analog delay for depthmodulation gives signature Boston swirl

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate-level technique due to its syncopated rhythm, tight palm muting, and the need for precise double-tracking to achieve the classic Boston stereo sound.

Sources

How do you get that "Boston" tone - forum topic - Ultimate Guitar More Than A Feeling has a superb guitar sound. - Reddit Is there a good modern equivalent of the Rockman from the 80s? - The Gear Page

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