GuitarDistortedRiff
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
Mids5.5
Bass6
Gain7.5
Reverb2
Treble7
Presence6
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