Riff Tone

Red Hot

Mötley Crüe

Guitarmetal1980s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (HH pickup configuration, likely with Floyd Rose, as per Mick Mars' rig in the 'Shout at the Devil' era)

AmpMarshall JCM800 (studio recording, 1983)

PickupsHigh-output humbuckers (e.g., Seymour Duncan JB or DiMarzio Super Distortion, ceramic or Alnico V, as per era-correct recommendations)

Amp Settings

gain7

bass5.5

mid6

treble7

reverb1.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

distortionMarshall or Unknown Distortion pedal (Marshall Guv’nor style or amp gain)

Notes

Studio recording, 1983. Guitar likely tuned to D standard. Mick Mars was known to use a hot-rodded Strat with humbuckers and a Floyd Rose for this era. Settings and pedal choices are inferred from era, genre, and closest available sources for Mötley Crüe's 'Shout at the Devil' period. No direct evidence for 'Red Hot' specific pedals, but distortion is amp-based or via Marshall-style pedal. No chorus, flanger, or delay is clearly audible in the riff section.

Tone Character(10)

tight palm-muted chugsaggressive midrange punchsaturated British cruncharticulate attackfull, bright high-end bitechunky rhythm tonehigh-output humbucker clarityminimal ambiencetight low endcutting presence in the mix

Difficulty

The riff requires fast alternate picking and tight palm muting at a high tempo, demanding precise synchronization and stamina, making it challenging for most intermediate players.

Sources

Amp Settings for "Kickstart My Heart" by Mötley Crüe Amp Settings for Dr. Feelgood by Mötley Crüe (track tone) - Guitar Chalk

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