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Mr. Brownstone (Live) — Guns N' Roses1 / 2
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Mr. Brownstone (Live) Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Guns N' Roses

Guns N' Roses · 1990s · rock

live

Original Recording

Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Standard (1987 or 1992, likely 1987 burst or goldtop, as used by Slash live in the Use Your Illusion era)
Pickups
Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro humbuckers
Amp
Marshall JCM2555 Silver Jubilee head with Marshall 1960BV 4x12 cabinet
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Live performance, early 1990s (Use Your Illusion tour era). Gear confirmed for live shows of this era, including 'Mr. Brownstone (Live)'. No evidence of additional amps or alternate guitars for the riff section. No evidence of studio gear being used live.

Amp Settings

Mids
7
Bass
6
Gain
6.5
Reverb
2
Treble
6.5
Presence
6

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Tone Character

  • tight and percussive
  • punchy midrange
  • aggressive British crunch
  • articulate and biting top end
  • warm, harmonically rich sustain
  • dynamic and responsive to picking
  • slightly compressed low end
  • focused, driving rhythm
  • clear note separation
  • minimal ambience

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No source provides exact numeric amp settings; values estimated based on typical Marshall Silver Jubilee settings for Slash's live tone in early 1990s.
  • ⚠️No explicit mention of pedals or effects in the riff section for live performances; effects list is based on both source review and critical listening.
  • ⚠️Pickup choice inferred from live video and typical Slash usage for riff sections.
  • ⚠️No evidence of time-based or modulation effects in the riff section; only amp gain and minimal reverb likely used.
  • ⚠️Settings are for live performance, not studio recording.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Slash's live 'Mr. Brownstone' tone is classic Marshall crunch—gain just above halfway for punchy riff clarity, mids pushed for cut, moderate bass for fullness, and balanced treble/presence to avoid harshness. Reverb is subtle, as typical for late 80s/early 90s hard rock live mixes.

Sources