Riff Tone
Red Sector A (2026 Remaster)
Rush
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson ES-355 (likely 1976 or reissue, as per Lifeson's main guitar for Grace Under Pressure era and 2026 remaster live rig references)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (most cited for Rush's 1980s tones and referenced as the most used in ToneMirror breakdowns for Rush studio tones)
PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock ES-355 type)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass5.5
mid6
treble7
reverb2
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
chorusBoss Boss CE-2 Chorus (or similar chorus pedal, model not confirmed for this track)
Notes
Studio recording, 1984 original (Grace Under Pressure), but referencing the 2026 remaster. No evidence of amp change for remaster; live 2026 rig uses digital modeling (TONEX), but studio tone is classic Marshall. Chorus effect is prominent and referenced in multiple sources as a key part of the tone.
Tone Character(10)
bright and articulatemodulated clean/gain hybridtight and percussive rhythmchorus shimmer adds widthslightly scooped mids for claritybridge pickup attackclear and cutting in synth-heavy mixsmooth chorus modulationmid-gain cruncharticulate, percussive
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, syncopated rhythm playing with clean articulation to maintain clarity under heavy modulation and synth layers. The right-hand technique and timing are moderately challenging.
Sources
Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear
Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson ES-355 (likely 1976 or reissue, as per Lifeson's main guitar for Grace Under Pressure era and 2026 remaster live rig references)
AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (most cited for Rush's 1980s tones and referenced as the most used in ToneMirror breakdowns for Rush studio tones)
PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock ES-355 type)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass5.5
mid6
treble7
reverb2
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
chorusBoss Boss CE-2 Chorus (or similar chorus pedal, model not confirmed for this track)
Notes
Studio recording, 1984 original (Grace Under Pressure), but referencing the 2026 remaster. No evidence of amp change for remaster; live 2026 rig uses digital modeling (TONEX), but studio tone is classic Marshall. Chorus effect is prominent and referenced in multiple sources as a key part of the tone.
Tone Character(10)
bright and articulatemodulated clean/gain hybridtight and percussive rhythmchorus shimmer adds widthslightly scooped mids for claritybridge pickup attackclear and cutting in synth-heavy mixsmooth chorus modulationmid-gain cruncharticulate, percussive
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, syncopated rhythm playing with clean articulation to maintain clarity under heavy modulation and synth layers. The right-hand technique and timing are moderately challenging.
More Rush tones
- Limelight · riff
- Fly By Night · riff
- Tom Sawyer · riff
- The Spirit of Radio · riff
- Far Cry (Live) · riff
- Limelight · riff
- Working Man (Remastered 2013) · riff
- 2112: Overture / The Temples Of Syrinx / Discovery / Presentation / Oracle / Soliloquy / Grand Finale (Remastered 2012) · riff
- Clockwork Angels · clean
- Clockwork Angels · distorted