GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Houses of the Holy Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin · 1970s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Standard (1970s, likely 1959 model)
Pickups
Gibson PAF humbuckers
Amp
Marshall JMP Super Lead (likely 1959 model, cranked for overdrive)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1972-1973. Jimmy Page is widely reported to have used a Les Paul into a Marshall Super Lead for the riff section of 'Houses of the Holy.' Some sources mention Supro amps for earlier Zeppelin, but for this era and this song's heavy riff, the Marshall JMP is most likely. No evidence of fuzz or wah for the riff. Effects are primarily studio processing (delay, phase inversion), not pedals.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass5.5
Gain4.5
Reverb2.5
Treble7.5
Presence6
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Tone Character
- metallic and hollow
- ringing, almost phasey
- distinctive midrange bite
- tight and percussive attack
- British crunch
- not fuzzy, but crunchy
- articulate pick attack
- slightly compressed
- studio-processed spaciousness
- aggressive bridge pickup presence
Notes & Caveats
- No direct studio documentation of exact amp settings for this song; settings estimated based on typical Marshall JMP Super Lead usage for classic rock in the 1970s and Guitar World recommendations.
- No evidence of fuzz, wah, or other pedals used on the riff section; effects are primarily studio delay and phase inversion, not pedals.
- Some sources mention Supro amps for earlier Zeppelin, but for this era and this song's heavy riff, the Marshall JMP is most likely.
- No evidence of live/touring gear being used on the studio recording; all info is for the studio version.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Jimmy Page's 'Houses of the Holy' riff tone is classic edge-of-breakup British rock, likely a cranked Marshall with strong mids, moderate bass, and slightly boosted treble/presence for clarity. The gain is low-to-moderate for that chimey, dynamic crunch, and reverb is subtle, reflecting the dry, punchy early '70s production.