Riff Tone

Strutter

Kiss

Guitarrock1970s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (early 1970s, likely 1973-74, Ace Frehley)

AmpMarshall Super Lead 100 (Plexi, late 60s/early 70s, likely JMP 1959)

PickupsGibson PAF-style humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass6.5

mid7.5

treble7

reverb1

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1973; Ace Frehley plugged Les Paul directly into Marshall amp, no pedals; amp likely dimed (all knobs at or near 10); no evidence of effects loop or additional pedals; classic Kiss debut album session.

Tone Character(10)

British crunchmidrange-forwardtight and punchyaggressive attackraw and uncompressedbright but not harshfull-bodiedslightly saturateddynamic responseno ambience or modulation

Difficulty

The riff requires solid timing, palm muting, and classic rock rhythm technique, but does not involve advanced lead work or complex chord shapes.

Sources

Ace Frehley shoots down Kiss myths and tells war stories | Guitar World “I heard someone playing deep, fiery guitar in the room next door. I thought, ‘Boy, I wish that guy was in the band!’ I looked over the balcony… It was Ace”: The otherworldly life and times of Kiss guitar icon Ace Frehley | Guitar World What guitars did Paul and Ace use on their '70s albums?

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