Riff Tone
You May Be Right
Billy Joel
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (likely late 1970s or 1980, humbuckers)
AmpMarshall JMP 2203 (likely, based on era, genre, and typical studio choices for Glass Houses sessions)
PickupsGibson humbuckers (likely T-Top or similar, stock for era)
Amp Settings
gain5.5
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb2.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1979-1980. No direct evidence for exact guitar/amp, but Les Paul and Marshall are strongly supported by era, genre, and session standards. No evidence of pedal use for riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and punchycrunchy rhythmbright and articulatefull-bodied midrangeslight amp breakupdry and directpercussive attackbridge pickup bitestudio clarityno audible effects
Difficulty
The riff requires solid timing, punchy strumming, and muting for a tight, driving sound, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast lead work.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (likely late 1970s or 1980, humbuckers)
AmpMarshall JMP 2203 (likely, based on era, genre, and typical studio choices for Glass Houses sessions)
PickupsGibson humbuckers (likely T-Top or similar, stock for era)
Amp Settings
gain5.5
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb2.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1979-1980. No direct evidence for exact guitar/amp, but Les Paul and Marshall are strongly supported by era, genre, and session standards. No evidence of pedal use for riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and punchycrunchy rhythmbright and articulatefull-bodied midrangeslight amp breakupdry and directpercussive attackbridge pickup bitestudio clarityno audible effects
Difficulty
The riff requires solid timing, punchy strumming, and muting for a tight, driving sound, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast lead work.
More Billy Joel tones
- We Didn't Start the Fire · riff
- You May Be Right · solo