TonesMatch
Learn to Fly — Foo Fighters1 / 2
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Learn to Fly Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters · 1990s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Custom (white, late 70s/early 80s, as used by Dave Grohl on this album)
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers (stock, late 70s/early 80s)
Amp
Marshall JCM800 2203 100-watt head
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 1999. Gear confirmed by Foo Fighters tech Earnie Bailey for 'There Is Nothing Left to Lose' sessions. ProCo Turbo Rat distortion pedal and MXR Micro Amp boost also used. No evidence of modulation or time-based pedals on riff section. Pickup selector likely set to bridge for main riff. Settings estimated based on typical JCM800 usage for this genre/era and lack of explicit numeric values in sources.

Amp Settings

Mids
7
Bass
6
Gain
6.5
Reverb
2.5
Treble
6.5
Presence
6

Effects Chain

  • ProCo Turbo Rat · distortion
  • MXR M133 Micro Amp · boost

Guitar → ProCo Turbo Rat → MXR Micro Amp → Marshall JCM800 2203 (with spring reverb)

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Tone Character

  • tight and punchy
  • crunchy and saturated
  • full-bodied midrange
  • articulate attack
  • clear note separation
  • slightly compressed
  • British amp bite
  • present but not harsh treble
  • controlled low end
  • studio-polished but organic

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No explicit numeric amp settings found in sources; settings estimated based on typical Marshall JCM800 usage for 90s alt-rock and Foo Fighters' confirmed gear.
  • ⚠️Pedal and amp chain confirmed by tech interview, but no pedal settings or exact amp knob positions provided.
  • ⚠️No evidence of modulation, delay, or reverb pedals used on the riff section; only amp's built-in reverb at low setting inferred for studio ambience.
  • ⚠️Pickup selector not explicitly stated, but bridge pickup is standard for this riff's tone.
  • ⚠️If alternate guitars/amps were used by other band members, this JSON reflects Dave Grohl's main rhythm track as per cited source.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Dave Grohl's 'Learn to Fly' riff tone is classic late-90s/early-00s rock: crunchy but not overly saturated, with punchy mids, balanced bass, and moderate treble. The amp settings reflect a Marshall-style crunch with enough presence to cut, and subtle reverb for space, matching Foo Fighters' production and Grohl's known gear and preferences.

Sources