Riff Tone

Ziggy Stardust

David Bowie

Guitarrock1970s

Original Gear

Guitar1968 Gibson Les Paul Custom

AmpMarshall Major Model 1967 200-watt head

PickupsGibson humbuckers (likely original T-Top humbuckers, open-coil, bridge position)

Amp Settings

gain6.5

bass6.5

mid7.5

treble7

reverb1

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

fuzzSola Sound Sola Sound Tone Bender MKI

wahVox or Dunlop Vox or Dunlop Cry Baby Wah (fixed/cocked position)

Notes

Studio recording, 1972. Mick Ronson played the main Ziggy Stardust riff on his stripped-finish '68 Les Paul Custom with open-coil humbuckers, through a Marshall Major 200-watt head. The fuzz comes from a Sola Sound Tone Bender MKI, and a cocked Cry Baby wah was used to shape the midrange. No evidence of additional pedals or amp-based effects. All sources confirm this was the core Ziggy-era rig.

Tone Character(10)

thick and punchynasally midrange honkfuzz-driven sustainmidrange-forwardclassic British crunchaggressive attacktight and articulateslightly compresseddistinctive cocked-wah soundsignature Ziggy-era glam rock tone

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, punchy rhythm playing with precise muting and articulation, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or complex chord voicings.

Sources

Mick Ronson | Equipboard The 25 greatest classic rock guitar tones of all time | Guitar World Mick Ronson honored with signature Dunlop Cry Baby wah pedal | Guitar World

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