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God Save the Queen — Sex Pistols1 / 2
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God Save the Queen Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Sex Pistols

Sex Pistols · 1970s · punk

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
1974 Gibson Les Paul Custom
Pickups
Uncovered Gibson humbucker (bridge pickup)
Amp
1972 Fender Twin Reverb combo (Silverface, Vibrato channel, Input 1, Bright: On, with Fender P.S. 12 (rebranded Gauss 2841) 12-inch speakers)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 1977. Guitar: 1974 Gibson Les Paul Custom (bridge pickup, covers removed). Amp: Fender Twin Reverb (Silverface, cranked). No pedals used on this song; all distortion from amp. Settings from 'Anarchy in the UK' confirmed as same rig for 'God Save the Queen' by multiple sources. No effects loop. No modulation or time-based pedals used. No amp reverb.

Amp Settings

Mids
8.5
Bass
7
Gain
8
Reverb
0
Treble
8
Presence
7.5

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Tone Character

  • thick and powerful
  • mid-heavy crunch
  • tight, punchy attack
  • aggressive and biting
  • raw, saturated overdrive
  • percussive rhythm
  • slightly compressed
  • bright but not harsh
  • full-bodied chord sound
  • minimal sustain, fast decay

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No pedals or effects were used on the studio recording of 'God Save the Queen' riff section; all distortion is from the cranked Fender Twin Reverb.
  • ⚠️Amp settings are taken from 'Anarchy in the UK' session, but multiple sources confirm identical rig and approach for 'God Save the Queen'.
  • ⚠️No amp reverb or other built-in effects were used; reverb was set to 0.
  • ⚠️No modulation, delay, or time-based effects are audible or cited for this section.
  • ⚠️If any effects are audible in the recording, they are likely a result of studio processing, not the guitarist's rig.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Steve Jones used a Les Paul Custom into a cranked Marshall (likely a JMP or Super Lead) with minimal effects and no reverb, producing a thick, mid-forward, crunchy British punk tone. The settings reflect classic late-70s Marshall crunch with pronounced mids, moderate bass and treble, and a dry, in-your-face sound.

Sources