TonesMatch
Moonchild — Rory Gallagher1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence

Moonchild Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Rory Gallagher

Rory Gallagher · 1970s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
1957 Fender Stratocaster
Pickups
Fender single-coil pickups (original 1950s spec)
Amp
Fender 'Narrow Panel Tweed' Bassman 5F6 (1958-1960)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 1976. Rory Gallagher's main studio rig for 'Moonchild' riff section on the 'Calling Card' album. No evidence of Marshall or Vox AC30 for this specific studio track; Bassman confirmed by video and multiple sources. Hawk II Tonal Expander booster used for added drive. Effects used sparingly, with flanger mentioned in interviews for this song.

Amp Settings

Mids
7
Bass
6.5
Gain
6
Reverb
1
Treble
6.5
Presence
6

Effects Chain

  • S. Hawk Ltd. Hawk II Tonal Expander · boost
  • Flanger pedal (model unknown, likely Boss) · flanger

1957 Fender Stratocaster → S. Hawk Ltd. Hawk II Tonal Expander → Flanger pedal (likely Boss) → Fender Bassman 5F6

Tone Matcher

Match This Tone to Your Gear

Tell us your guitar and amp — we’ll calculate the exact settings translated to your specific rig.

Adapt to MY Gear →

7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.

Tone Character

  • clear yet highly driven
  • precise and natural
  • edge-of-breakup crunch
  • touch-sensitive
  • bright and articulate
  • percussive attack
  • slight midrange emphasis
  • open and uncompressed
  • classic blues-rock drive
  • no heavy saturation

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct numeric amp settings found for 'Moonchild' studio recording; settings estimated based on typical Bassman usage in classic rock/blues and Rory's described tone.
  • ⚠️Amp model confirmed for studio by video and gear lists, but some sources mention Marshall JMP for live use; only Bassman is cited for studio.
  • ⚠️Hawk II Tonal Expander booster confirmed for this era and album, but exact pedal settings not found.
  • ⚠️Flanger effect mentioned by Rory in interview as used on 'Moonchild', but exact pedal model not specified; likely Boss flanger as per interview.
  • ⚠️No evidence of wah, delay, chorus, or reverb on the riff section; flanger is the only modulation effect confirmed.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Rory Gallagher's 'Moonchild' riff features a classic British blues-rock crunch with strong midrange, moderate gain, and a warm, punchy low end typical of his cranked Vox/AC30 or Fender amps. The tone is forward and dynamic with minimal reverb, matching 1970s production and Rory's aggressive, articulate playing style.

Sources