GuitarDistortedRiff
Anarchy In the U.K. Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols · 1970s · punk
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1974 Gibson Les Paul Custom
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers (pickup covers removed, bridge pickup used)
Amp
1972 Fender Twin Reverb combo with Fender P.S. 12 (Gauss 2841) 12-inch speakers
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1976-1977, Never Mind the Bollocks sessions. Amp was cranked to full volume for power-amp overdrive. No amp reverb or vibrato used. MXR Phase 45 or Phase 90 used for modulation. All sources confirm direct-to-amp with minimal effects for riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids8.5
Bass7
Gain8
Reverb0
Treble8
Presence7.5
Effects Chain
- MXR Phase 45 · phaser
Guitar → MXR Phase 45 → Fender Twin Reverb (no reverb, vibrato, or other effects)
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Tone Character
- violent crunch
- slashing treble
- roaring midrange
- tight, twangy bass
- aggressive attack
- raw and powerful
- punchy and immediate
- minimal sustain
- dry, uncompressed
- in-your-face presence