Solo Tone
Spectral Mornings
Steve Hackett
Guitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Goldtop (1970s, likely with stock PAF-style humbuckers)
AmpMarshall 50-watt 1987x Plexi head
PickupsPAF-style humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6
mid7
treble6.5
reverb6.5
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
otherKorg Volume pedal (model unknown, likely Korg)
delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown, likely analog or tape echo)
reverbUnknown Reverb pedal or studio plate reverb (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, 1979. Steve Hackett confirmed use of his Goldtop Les Paul and Marshall Plexi heads for the 'Spectral Mornings' album. Fernandes guitar with Sustainer pickup was also used on the album, but the Les Paul is most associated with the main solo. No evidence of live rig or modern amps for the original studio recording.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainsmooth, violin-like lead tonewarm and expressive vibratofluid legato phrasingrich harmonic overtonestouch-sensitive dynamicsslightly compressed attacklush, ambient reverbclear note separationclassic British overdrive
Difficulty
The solo requires advanced control of vibrato, legato phrasing, and volume pedal swells to achieve the singing, violin-like tone. While not extremely fast, the expressive demands and dynamic control make it challenging for most players.
Sources
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Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Goldtop (1970s, likely with stock PAF-style humbuckers)
AmpMarshall 50-watt 1987x Plexi head
PickupsPAF-style humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6
mid7
treble6.5
reverb6.5
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
otherKorg Volume pedal (model unknown, likely Korg)
delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown, likely analog or tape echo)
reverbUnknown Reverb pedal or studio plate reverb (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, 1979. Steve Hackett confirmed use of his Goldtop Les Paul and Marshall Plexi heads for the 'Spectral Mornings' album. Fernandes guitar with Sustainer pickup was also used on the album, but the Les Paul is most associated with the main solo. No evidence of live rig or modern amps for the original studio recording.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainsmooth, violin-like lead tonewarm and expressive vibratofluid legato phrasingrich harmonic overtonestouch-sensitive dynamicsslightly compressed attacklush, ambient reverbclear note separationclassic British overdrive
Difficulty
The solo requires advanced control of vibrato, legato phrasing, and volume pedal swells to achieve the singing, violin-like tone. While not extremely fast, the expressive demands and dynamic control make it challenging for most players.