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Eye in the Sky — The Alan Parsons Project1 / 2
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GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence

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

Mids
6.5
Bass
6
Gain
3.5
Reverb
2.5
Treble
6.5
Presence
5.5

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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

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct source confirms the exact guitar, amp, or settings for the riff section; all gear and settings are inferred from era, genre, and known player (Ian Bairnson).
  • ⚠️Most available sources discuss the solo, not the riff section. No evidence of pedals or effects for the riff section.
  • ⚠️Settings estimated based on typical Marshall amp use in early 1980s studio rock and the clean-but-present tone audible in the recording.
  • ⚠️No explicit pickup selector info; bridge pickup inferred from tone and genre norms.
  • ⚠️No evidence of modulation, delay, or reverb effects in the riff section; only mild amp reverb is estimated.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. The 'Eye in the Sky' riff uses a clean but slightly driven tone typical of early 80s British studio rock, likely a Strat or similar through a clean amp (often a Fender or Hiwatt), with mids pushed for clarity, moderate bass, and restrained reverb for subtle ambience. The tone is articulate, not overly bright or scooped, and sits forward in the mix.

Sources