Solo Tone
Too Much Time On My Hands
Styx
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul (likely Standard, late 1970s/early 1980s, used by Tommy Shaw in studio)
AmpMarshall amplifier (likely JMP or JCM800, era-appropriate for Styx studio recordings circa 1980-81)
PickupsGibson humbuckers (likely T-Top or late PAF style)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb3
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, 1980-81, Paradise Theatre album. No direct evidence of pedals or alternate guitars for the solo; Les Paul and Marshall stack are most commonly cited for Shaw's studio work in this era. No evidence of live/touring gear being used in studio.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainsmooth and vocal-likerich midrangearticulate attackclassic rock crunchclear note separationmoderate gainslightly compressedwarm yet brightfocused lead presence
Difficulty
The solo requires intermediate to advanced phrasing, expressive bends, and tight timing to match the subtle delay repeats, but does not involve extreme speed or advanced techniques like sweep picking.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul (likely Standard, late 1970s/early 1980s, used by Tommy Shaw in studio)
AmpMarshall amplifier (likely JMP or JCM800, era-appropriate for Styx studio recordings circa 1980-81)
PickupsGibson humbuckers (likely T-Top or late PAF style)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb3
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, 1980-81, Paradise Theatre album. No direct evidence of pedals or alternate guitars for the solo; Les Paul and Marshall stack are most commonly cited for Shaw's studio work in this era. No evidence of live/touring gear being used in studio.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainsmooth and vocal-likerich midrangearticulate attackclassic rock crunchclear note separationmoderate gainslightly compressedwarm yet brightfocused lead presence
Difficulty
The solo requires intermediate to advanced phrasing, expressive bends, and tight timing to match the subtle delay repeats, but does not involve extreme speed or advanced techniques like sweep picking.
Too Much Time On My Hands settings for your amp
Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.
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