Cold As Ice — Foreigner1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedSolo

Cold As Ice Solo Guitar Tone Settings — Foreigner

Foreigner · 1970s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
1957 Gibson Les Paul Custom (modded, middle pickup removed, direct-to-output switch)
Pickups
Gibson PAF humbuckers (bridge position, direct to output mod)
Amp
Marshall 100-watt head (likely JMP, late 1970s) into Hiwatt cabinets with Fane speakers
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup (direct to output, bypassing controls)

Studio recording, 1976-1977. Mick Jones states he used his '57 Les Paul Custom with a direct-to-output switch (bypassing volume/tone controls, pickups at full), into 100-watt Marshall heads and Hiwatt cabs with Fane speakers for solo work on Foreigner's debut album, which includes 'Cold As Ice'. No evidence of pedals or additional effects for the solo section; all drive from amp. No evidence of live/touring substitutions for this recording.

Amp Settings

Mids
7
Bass
6
Gain
6
Reverb
2.5
Treble
6.5
Presence
6

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Tone Character

  • classic British crunch
  • edgy, articulate lead tone
  • singing sustain
  • tight and immediate attack
  • bright but not harsh
  • full-bodied midrange
  • slightly compressed
  • harmonically rich
  • punchy dynamics
  • minimal ambient effects

Sources