GuitarCleanRiff
Photograph Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Def Leppard
Def Leppard · 1980s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender Stratocaster (exact model unspecified, but confirmed as Stratocaster for riff section)
Pickups
Single-coil pickups (stock Fender Stratocaster configuration)
Amp
Marshall amplifier (exact model not specified; likely Marshall JCM800 or similar, as used during Pyromania sessions)
Pickup Position
Neck pickup (for clean arpeggios); Bridge pickup (for overdubbed root notes)
Studio recording, 1982-1983 for Pyromania album. The riff section was tracked with a Stratocaster for the clean, jangly arpeggios. Root notes were overdubbed with a fuzz/distorted tone, likely using a Boss pedal. Multiple amps and cabs were auditioned in the studio, but Marshall is most likely for the main riff. No evidence of live rig or later digital units for this recording.
Amp Settings
Mids6
Bass6
Gain0
Reverb3
Treble7.5
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Fuzz/Distortion pedal (model unknown, likely Boss) · distortion
Fender Stratocaster → (optional: Boss distortion/fuzz for root note overdubs) → Marshall amplifier (with plate reverb)
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Tone Character
- bright and jangly
- country clean
- articulate and clear
- slightly compressed
- polished
- layered
- dynamic
- clean with subtle grit on root notes
- harmonically rich
- tight and precise