Riff Tone

Rock & Roll Band

Boston

Guitarrock1970s

Original Gear

Guitar1970s Gibson Les Paul Goldtop

AmpScholz Rockman prototype (pre-production, rackmount unit)

PickupsGibson PAF-style humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain6.5

bass6.5

mid7.5

treble7

reverb2

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

compressionScholz Scholz Rockman (prototype, rackmount)

eqMXR MXR 6-Band EQ (likely, based on era and Scholz's known use)

chorusUnknown Chorus pedal (Rockman built-in or similar, model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, 1975-1976. Tom Scholz recorded all guitars for Boston's debut album at his home studio using his own prototype Rockman preamp/amp simulator and a Les Paul Goldtop. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this song's riff section.

Tone Character(10)

midrange-forward crunchtight and focused rhythmsinging sustainlush, subtle chorus shimmerhigh compression for sustainharmonically richnot scooped, but thick and presentslightly bright top endsmooth, even attackstudio-polished clarity

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, fast rhythm playing with palm muting and precise timing to match the multi-tracked studio sound, but does not involve advanced lead techniques.

Sources

Tom Scholz BOSTON guitar tone? - The Gear Page Achieving the Boston tone with Amplitube and Rockman presets The Tom Scholz "Boston" tone: The Key is in the Cabs | Guitar Forum How do you get that "Boston" tone - forum topic - Ultimate Guitar MXR Rockman X100 Recreates Tom Scholz's Iconic Boston Guitar Sound | First Look

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