GuitarDistortedRiff
Eye in the Sky Guitar Tone Settings — The Alan Parsons Project
The Alan Parsons Project · 1980s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Custom (likely 1970s-early 1980s, as used by Ian Bairnson in this era)
Pickups
Humbucker (likely stock Gibson humbuckers of the era)
Amp
Marshall amplifier (exact model unknown, likely JMP or JCM800 series typical for early 1980s studio rock recordings)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1981-1982. No direct evidence of pedals or effects for the riff section; most sources focus on the solo. Gear inferred from era, genre, and known player (Ian Bairnson).
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6
Gain3.5
Reverb2.5
Treble6.5
Presence5.5
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Tone Character
- clean but slightly pushed
- warm and rounded
- articulate and present
- clear note separation
- mild amp breakup
- studio-polished clarity
- no audible modulation
- no heavy distortion
- classic rock rhythm voicing