GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Looks That Kill Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe · 1980s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1970s Gibson Les Paul Custom (likely black, stock or DiMarzio Super Distortion bridge pickup)
Pickups
DiMarzio Super Distortion (humbucker, bridge position, ceramic magnet, high output)
Amp
Marshall JCM800 2203 (100-watt head, likely stock, no built-in effects)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1983 (recorded for 'Shout at the Devil'). All evidence points to Mick Mars using his black Les Paul Custom with a high-output humbucker (often cited as a DiMarzio Super Distortion) into a Marshall JCM800 2203 head for the main riff. No evidence of pedals or effects other than a possible Tube Screamer/OD for boost. No time-based or modulation effects audible or cited for the riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids5
Bass6
Gain7.5
Reverb0.5
Treble7.5
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Overdrive pedal (model unknown, likely Ibanez Tube Screamer or Boss SD-1) · overdrive
Guitar → Overdrive pedal (likely Tube Screamer or SD-1) → Marshall JCM800 2203 head → 4x12 cabinet
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- aggressive palm muting
- high-gain saturation
- mid-heavy crunch
- articulate pick attack
- punchy low end
- minimal ambience
- classic Marshall bite
- compressed and focused
- no modulation or delay
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings for 'Looks That Kill' found in sources; settings estimated based on typical 1980s Marshall JCM800 usage for LA metal and Mick Mars' known rig.
- No evidence of time-based or modulation effects (delay, chorus, flanger, phaser) in the riff section; none are audible in the recording.
- No studio documentation of pedal use for the riff; some sources suggest a Tube Screamer or SD-1 type overdrive for boost, but this is not confirmed for the studio recording.
- Pickup model is inferred from multiple interviews and era photos, but not directly confirmed for this exact session.
- If new evidence emerges of pedal or effect use, settings may need revision.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Mick Mars used a modded Marshall with high gain and a tight, scooped midrange for 'Looks That Kill,' typical of early 80s LA metal. The tone is aggressive, bright, and dry, with minimal reverb and a pronounced treble/presence to cut through the mix.