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18 and Life — Skid Row1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence

18 and Life Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Skid Row

Skid Row · 1980s · metal

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Jackson Soloist (blue, Scotti Hill's main guitar on the album)
Pickups
Jackson J-50BC humbucker (bridge position, stock for era)
Amp
A/DA MP-1 preamp into Marshall JCM800 (modded) and McIntosh/Groove Tubes power amps
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 1988-1989. Rhythm/riff section. Confirmed by Guitar World interview with Scotti Hill and Snake Sabo. Used in combination with Marshall and outboard power amps for the album's heavy rhythm tones.

Amp Settings

Mids
5.5
Bass
6
Gain
7.5
Reverb
2
Treble
7
Presence
6

Effects Chain

  • Ibanez Tube Screamer (likely TS9 or TS808, used as boost) · overdrive
  • MXR Six Band EQ · eq

Jackson Soloist (bridge humbucker) → Ibanez Tube Screamer → MXR Six Band EQ → A/DA MP-1 preamp → Marshall JCM800 (modded) → Groove Tubes/McIntosh power amp → Marshall 4x12 cab (minimal spring reverb)

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Tone Character

  • tight palm-muted chugs
  • aggressive and saturated
  • full-bodied midrange
  • cutting upper mids
  • punchy low end
  • articulate pick attack
  • high-output humbucker clarity
  • minimal ambience
  • classic 80s hard rock/metal rhythm
  • slightly compressed

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct numeric amp settings for '18 and Life' riff found in sources; settings estimated based on typical ADA MP-1 + Marshall JCM800 usage for 80s metal rhythm tones.
  • ⚠️Pedal/effects info is based on confirmed gear used on the album, but specific pedal settings for the riff section are not documented.
  • ⚠️No evidence of time-based or modulation effects (delay, chorus, flanger, etc.) on the distorted riff section; effects chain is kept minimal for rhythm.
  • ⚠️Some sources mention fuzz (Big Muff) and Tube Screamer use on the album, but not specifically for the main riff of '18 and Life'—excluded for confidence.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Skid Row's '18 and Life' riff features a saturated, punchy 80s hard rock/metal tone typical of Marshall amps with high gain, slightly scooped mids, and tight bass. The treble and presence are set to cut through the mix without being harsh, and reverb is minimal, consistent with late 80s production.

Sources