Limelight — Rush1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedRiff

Limelight Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Rush

Rush · 1980s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Fender Stratocaster (heavily modified, heavier/denser body, Bill Lawrence L-500 bridge humbucker, Schaller neck)
Pickups
Bill Lawrence L-500 bridge humbucker (bridge position), single coils in neck/middle
Amp
Marshall 4140 Club & Country 100W combo and Hiwatt DR-103 head with Hiwatt 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, 1980/1981)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup (Bill Lawrence L-500 humbucker)

Studio recording for 'Limelight' (Moving Pictures, 1980/1981). Lifeson used a modified Strat with a Bill Lawrence L-500 in the bridge, running into Marshall and Hiwatt amps. Multiple amps were set up inside and outside the studio for ambience. Effects included Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress flanger and Boss Chorus Ensemble. Pickup selector set to bridge for main riff. No Hughes & Kettner or modern amps used on original recording.

Amp Settings

Mids
7
Bass
6
Gain
6
Reverb
2
Treble
7
Presence
6

Effects Chain

  • Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress · flanger
  • Boss Chorus Ensemble · chorus

Fender Stratocaster (bridge humbucker) → Electric Mistress flanger → Boss Chorus Ensemble → Marshall 4140 Club & Country and/or Hiwatt DR-103 head → Hiwatt 4x12 cabinet (with amp spring reverb)

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Tone Character

  • bright and articulate
  • chiming, modulated shimmer
  • tight and percussive
  • full-bodied with clarity
  • cutting upper mids
  • slightly compressed
  • dynamic pick response
  • distinctive flanger swirl
  • British-voiced crunch
  • clear note separation

Sources