GuitarDistortedSolo80% confidence
747 (Strangers in the Night) [2009 - Remaster] Guitar Tone Settings
Saxon · 1970s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely late 1970s model, as used by Graham Oliver and Paul Quinn in Saxon at the time)
Pickups
Humbucker (likely Gibson PAF-style or T-Top humbuckers)
Amp
Marshall JMP 2203 (100W head, typical for NWOBHM era and Saxon's studio recordings in 1979)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1979 (for the original track, as the 2009 remaster is a remaster of the original). No evidence of pedal use in the solo section; amp-based overdrive/distortion. No evidence of live/touring gear or later-era amps being used on this recording.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain7
Reverb2.5
Treble7
Presence6
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Tone Character
- piercing lead tone
- singing sustain
- aggressive and melodic
- crisp distortion
- powerful and driving
- tight and punchy
- classic British crunch
- articulate high end
- fluid legato runs
- cutting through the mix
Notes & Caveats
- No direct source confirms exact guitar, amp, or pedal models/settings for the solo section of '747 (Strangers in the Night)'.
- Gear and settings are estimated based on era, genre, and typical Saxon studio setups from 1979.
- No evidence of pedal use or specific effects in the solo section; all overdrive/distortion is inferred to be amp-based.
- No explicit mention of pickup selector position, but bridge pickup is typical for this style/solo sound.
- No direct evidence of reverb type or level; low amp spring reverb is estimated based on era and genre.
- If more detailed studio notes or interviews surface, these estimates should be updated.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Saxon's 1980s lead tone is classic British hard rock/early metal: moderately high gain for sustain, strong mids for cut, balanced bass/treble, and a touch of presence for clarity. The solo is articulate but full, with subtle reverb likely from the studio mix, matching typical Marshall amp settings of the era.