Riff Tone

The Way It Is

Tesla

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1980s, Frank Hannon's main studio guitar for this era)

AmpMarshall JCM800 (likely 2203 or 2204, standard for Tesla's 1980s studio recordings)

PickupsHumbuckers (likely stock Gibson or Seymour Duncan, exact model unknown)

Amp Settings

gain6

bass6

mid7

treble6.5

reverb3

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1989 album 'The Great Radio Controversy'. Gear inferred from era, genre, and artist's known studio rig. No direct source ties a specific pedal or amp to this exact song, but this is the consensus for Tesla's late 80s studio rhythm tones.

Tone Character(10)

punchy and dynamictight and articulateclassic British crunchwarm midrange focusclear note separationfull-bodied chordsslightly compressed attacknatural amp-driven overdriveno excessive fizz or harshnessresponsive to picking dynamics

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate-level control of palm muting, tight rhythm, and dynamic picking, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or complex chord voicings.

Sources

Frank Hannon, Tesla Guitarist Gear Tesla Members, Gear & Sound

Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear

Create Free Account