A Man I'll Never Be — Boston1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedRiff

A Man I'll Never Be Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Boston

Boston · 1970s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Goldtop (1957, with DiMarzio Super Distortion bridge pickup, modified by Tom Scholz)
Pickups
DiMarzio Super Distortion (bridge), Gibson P-90 (neck), likely bridge pickup for riff
Amp
Marshall Super Lead (1959 model, modded by Scholz), possibly with Power Soak
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 1977-1978, Don't Look Back album. Scholz is known for heavy studio layering and custom signal chains. No evidence of Rockman on this album; Rockman was developed after. Effects are likely rack or pedal-based, not amp built-in.

Amp Settings

Mids
7
Bass
6.5
Gain
5.5
Reverb
3
Treble
7
Presence
6

Effects Chain

  • Compression pedal (model unknown) · compression
  • Chorus pedal (model unknown) · chorus

Guitar → Compression pedal → Chorus pedal → Marshall Super Lead (plate reverb added in mix or via rack unit)

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Tone Character

  • rich and harmonically layered
  • crunchy but smooth
  • clear note separation
  • singing sustain
  • slightly compressed attack
  • midrange-focused
  • tight and controlled low end
  • warm but present highs
  • studio-polished
  • distinct stereo double-tracking

Sources