Riff Tone
Show Me the Way
Peter Frampton
Guitarrock1970s
Original Gear
Guitar1954 Gibson Les Paul Custom 'Phenix'
Amp1970s Marshall 100-watt Super Lead head (Jose Arredondo modded)
PickupsStock Gibson PAF humbuckers (original 1950s, likely Alnico V in bridge, P-90 in neck/middle)
Amp Settings
gain5
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb3
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1975 (Frampton Comes Alive! released 1976). Guitar is the iconic 'Phenix' Les Paul Custom, amp is a Jose-modded Marshall Super Lead. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the riff section. Talk Box is NOT used in the main riff (only in solo/chorus).
Tone Character(10)
British crunchOpen and dynamicArticulate attackClassic Marshall midrangeBright but not harshDefined low endSlight compressionEdge-of-breakup clarityNo modulation or delaySinging sustain on chords
Difficulty
The riff requires tight rhythmic playing and clean chord transitions with a crunchy tone, but does not involve advanced techniques or high speed, making it accessible to intermediate players.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1970s
Original Gear
Guitar1954 Gibson Les Paul Custom 'Phenix'
Amp1970s Marshall 100-watt Super Lead head (Jose Arredondo modded)
PickupsStock Gibson PAF humbuckers (original 1950s, likely Alnico V in bridge, P-90 in neck/middle)
Amp Settings
gain5
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb3
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1975 (Frampton Comes Alive! released 1976). Guitar is the iconic 'Phenix' Les Paul Custom, amp is a Jose-modded Marshall Super Lead. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the riff section. Talk Box is NOT used in the main riff (only in solo/chorus).
Tone Character(10)
British crunchOpen and dynamicArticulate attackClassic Marshall midrangeBright but not harshDefined low endSlight compressionEdge-of-breakup clarityNo modulation or delaySinging sustain on chords
Difficulty
The riff requires tight rhythmic playing and clean chord transitions with a crunchy tone, but does not involve advanced techniques or high speed, making it accessible to intermediate players.
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