TonesMatch
Love Song — Tesla1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence

Love Song Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Tesla

Tesla · 1980s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1980s, possibly Slash Appetite model as per Equipboard)
Pickups
Humbucker (Gibson stock or Slash signature, likely Alnico II magnets)
Amp
Randall RGT 100 HT
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 1989. Gear based on Equipboard and typical Tesla studio setups for 'Love Song' era. No direct studio photo evidence for this exact session, but Randall RGT 100 HT and Les Paul Standard are consistently cited for Tesla's classic riff tones. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the main riff section.

Amp Settings

Mids
7
Bass
6.5
Gain
5.5
Reverb
3
Treble
6.5
Presence
6

Effects Chain

  • Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer · overdrive
  • Boss BF-2 Flanger · flanger

Guitar → Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer → Boss BF-2 Flanger → Randall RGT 100 HT (with spring reverb)

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Tone Character

  • raw and energetic
  • blues-infused
  • aggressive edge
  • melodic and powerful
  • gritty overdrive
  • tight and articulate rhythm
  • vintage warmth with modern clarity
  • dynamic and responsive
  • not overly saturated
  • clear note separation

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct studio documentation or official rig rundown for 'Love Song' riff section; gear and settings inferred from Equipboard, genre, era, and typical Tesla tones.
  • ⚠️No numeric amp settings found; values estimated based on Randall amp, 1980s hard rock context, and typical Les Paul + Randall setups.
  • ⚠️Pedal and effect choices based on Equipboard and audible effects in the recording; no studio pedalboard photo for this session.
  • ⚠️Pickup position inferred from typical hard rock rhythm tones and the audible brightness and punch in the riff.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Tesla's 'Love Song' riff features a classic late-80s hard rock crunch with moderate gain, full mids, and a balanced EQ—likely achieved with a Marshall-style amp (like a JCM800) set for clarity and punch. The tone is warm but articulate, with enough reverb for space but not washed out, matching both the band's gear and the era's production style.

Sources