GuitarDistortedSolo80% confidence
Animal Solo Guitar Tone Settings — Def Leppard
Def Leppard · 1980s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Ibanez DT-555 Destroyer (with retrofitted Kahler vibrato)
Pickups
Ibanez stock humbuckers (likely Super 58 or V2, humbucking configuration)
Amp
Tom Scholz Rockman (original version, rackmount headphone amp/DI preamp, used for almost all guitar tracks on 'Hysteria')
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1986-1987. Phil Collen played and double-tracked the solo on 'Animal' using the Ibanez DT-555 Destroyer with a Kahler vibrato. The Rockman was the primary amp/DI for the album, with no pedals used on the solo. Delay and chorus effects were added via rack units (TC Electronic 1210, TC 2290) in the studio signal chain. The Gallien-Krueger 250ML was only used for the intro feedback, not the solo.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass5.5
Gain6.5
Reverb3.5
Treble7
Presence6
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Tone Character
- singing sustain
- bright and articulate
- modulation-drenched
- chorus-enhanced width
- tight, defined attack
- smooth, compressed sustain
- melodic and controlled
- radio-friendly clarity
- not overly saturated
- produced, layered sound
Notes & Caveats
- No exact knob settings for the Rockman were found in sources; values estimated based on typical Rockman tones and 1980s studio rock production.
- No pedals were used on the solo per Phil Collen; all effects (delay, chorus) were rackmounted studio units.
- Pickup choice inferred from solo tone and typical usage on this guitar; sources do not specify exact selector position.
- All effects are rack/studio, not stompboxes; no evidence of wah, flanger, or phaser in the solo.
- If alternate sources claim Marshall or Randall amps, those were not used for the 'Animal' solo section per direct artist quotes.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. The 'Animal' solo features a saturated, singing 80s lead tone typical of Def Leppard's Hysteria era, likely using Rockman or Marshall preamps with moderate mids, tight bass, and bright but not harsh treble; reverb is present but subtle, matching Mutt Lange's polished production style.