GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Goodbye to Romance Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne · 1980s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Karl Sandoval Polka Dot Flying V Custom
Pickups
DiMarzio Super Distortion (bridge), DiMarzio PAF (neck)
Amp
Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100-watt (Plexi)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1980. Gear confirmed for Blizzard of Ozz sessions. No evidence of live/tour rig or Zakk Wylde-era gear for this song. Riff section uses the Sandoval V, not the Les Paul.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain6.5
Reverb3
Treble7
Presence6
Effects Chain
- MXR Distortion+ · distortion
Guitar → MXR Distortion+ → Marshall 1959 Super Lead (studio plate reverb)
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Tone Character
- warm and slightly compressed
- chiming and open
- articulate with clear note separation
- classic Marshall crunch
- touch-sensitive and dynamic
- not heavily saturated
- mild overdrive
- studio ambience adds depth
- bright but not harsh
- full-bodied rhythm
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings for 'Goodbye to Romance' found; settings estimated based on typical Marshall Plexi usage for Randy Rhoads in 1980 and genre/era.
- No explicit pedal settings for this song; inferred from confirmed use of MXR Distortion+ as always-on for rhythm tones in studio.
- No evidence of chorus, flanger, or delay on the riff section; chorus/flanger used on other songs but not audible here.
- Some sources list Zakk Wylde's gear/settings, but these are from a different era and not relevant to the original studio recording.
- Reverb is likely from studio plate or room, not amp or pedal; included as low-level for ambience.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Randy Rhoads' 'Goodbye to Romance' riff tone is classic late-70s/early-80s British crunch, likely a Marshall with moderate gain, strong mids, and balanced bass/treble. The tone is warm, mid-forward, and not overly saturated, with subtle reverb from studio production.