GuitarDistortedRiff
21st Century Schizoid Man (Including "Mirrors") Guitar Tone Settings
King Crimson · 1960s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Custom (1957, black, 'Black Beauty')
Pickups
Gibson PAF humbuckers
Amp
Marshall 100-watt Super Lead (Plexi, late 1960s)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1969. Guitar: Robert Fripp's original Les Paul Custom with PAFs. Amp: Marshall Plexi, likely with no master volume. Fuzz: Burns Buzzaround. No evidence of other pedals or effects for the riff section. Settings estimated based on era, amp, and genre. No evidence of amp reverb or other built-in effects.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain6.5
Reverb0
Treble7
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Burns Buzzaround Fuzz · fuzz
Gibson Les Paul Custom → Burns Buzzaround Fuzz → Marshall Super Lead Plexi
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Tone Character
- gnarly, saturated fuzz
- razor-sharp attack
- aggressive and biting
- compressed, thick midrange
- buzzsaw-like sustain
- raw, uncompressed dynamics
- percussive and punchy
- vintage germanium fuzz character
- British amp crunch
- tight, focused low end