Riff Tone
Top Gun Anthem
Harold Faltermeyer & Steve Stevens
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarCharvel San Dimas Glow
Amp1968 Marshall Plexi Super Lead 100-watt (stock)
PickupsSeymour Duncan humbucker (likely JB, exact model not specified for this guitar, but typical for Charvel San Dimas of the era)
Amp Settings
gain7
bass6
mid6
treble7.5
reverb2.5
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
eqBoss Boss GE-7 Graphic Equalizer
Notes
Studio recording, 1985-1986. Gear confirmed by Steve Stevens in multiple interviews. Not the Hamer SS seen in the music video. Used a Boss GE-7 EQ pedal to push the amp for more gain. Some sources mention a Boss Compressor, but for the riff section, the GE-7 is consistently cited.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainBritish crunchtight and articulate attackclear note separationrich harmonic overtonessmooth but present midrangeclassic 80s rock leadpushed Marshall breakupEQ boost for extra gainnot overly saturated
Difficulty
The riff requires solid alternate picking, expressive vibrato, and melodic phrasing typical of 80s rock, but does not reach the technical complexity of the solo.
Sources
Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear
Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarCharvel San Dimas Glow
Amp1968 Marshall Plexi Super Lead 100-watt (stock)
PickupsSeymour Duncan humbucker (likely JB, exact model not specified for this guitar, but typical for Charvel San Dimas of the era)
Amp Settings
gain7
bass6
mid6
treble7.5
reverb2.5
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
eqBoss Boss GE-7 Graphic Equalizer
Notes
Studio recording, 1985-1986. Gear confirmed by Steve Stevens in multiple interviews. Not the Hamer SS seen in the music video. Used a Boss GE-7 EQ pedal to push the amp for more gain. Some sources mention a Boss Compressor, but for the riff section, the GE-7 is consistently cited.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainBritish crunchtight and articulate attackclear note separationrich harmonic overtonessmooth but present midrangeclassic 80s rock leadpushed Marshall breakupEQ boost for extra gainnot overly saturated
Difficulty
The riff requires solid alternate picking, expressive vibrato, and melodic phrasing typical of 80s rock, but does not reach the technical complexity of the solo.
Top Gun Anthem settings for your amp
Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.