Riff Tone

Smash It Up

The Damned

Guitarpunk1970s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson SG (late 1970s, likely Standard or Special)

AmpMarshall amplifier (likely JMP or Super Lead, late 1970s, studio recording)

PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock, late 1970s)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb0.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1979. Guitarist Captain Sensible used a Gibson SG into a Marshall amp for the original recording. No evidence of pedals or effects used on the clean riff section. All sources referencing effects or alternate amps refer to later live rigs or other albums. No evidence of Roland JC-120 or Eventide H9 on the original studio recording.

Tone Character(10)

bright and janglyarticulate and percussivetight and focusedslight midrange emphasisdry studio soundno audible reverbclear attackno breakup or distortioncutting presenceclassic punk clarity

Difficulty

The riff requires fast, steady downstroke strumming and tight timing to maintain the clean, percussive attack, but uses simple chord shapes and no advanced techniques.

Sources

Clairvoyant Chemistry: Insights from The Damned Duo - Premier Guitar The Damned guitar play-along - SMASH IT UP Parts 1 & 2 - YouTube

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