GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Dead End Justice Riff Guitar Tone Settings — The Runaways
The Runaways · 1970s · punk
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Melody Maker
Pickups
Single-coil (original Melody Maker pickups)
Amp
Vox AC30C2X
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1976. Gear inferred from Equipboard and era-typical Runaways setup. No direct evidence for pedals or alternate guitars for this specific track's riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain6.5
Reverb1.5
Treble7
Presence6
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Tone Character
- aggressive and punchy
- raw and gritty
- midrange-forward
- bright but not harsh
- unpolished and energetic
- tight and percussive attack
- slightly compressed
- vintage rock crunch
- clear note separation
- minimal ambience
Notes & Caveats
- No direct source confirms exact amp or pedal settings for 'Dead End Justice' riff; settings estimated based on typical 1970s punk/rock tones and Equipboard's listing of Joan Jett's gear.
- No evidence of pedals or effects used for the riff section; overdrive/distortion likely from amp and guitar volume.
- No explicit pickup selector position found; bridge pickup inferred from tone and genre.
- No direct evidence of amp reverb or other amp effects; low reverb setting estimated for studio context.
- No evidence of effects loop or additional pedals in studio for this track's riff section.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. The Runaways' 'Dead End Justice' riff section features a classic mid-70s hard rock crunch with pronounced mids and moderate gain, likely from a cranked Marshall or similar amp. The tone is punchy, mid-forward, and relatively dry, matching the era's production and Joan Jett/Lita Ford's typical amp settings for aggressive, cutting rhythm work.