GuitarDistortedRiff
Pour Some Sugar On Me Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Def Leppard
Def Leppard · 1980s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Custom (white, with Kahler tremolo, three pickups, as seen in the official video and cited for the Hysteria album/riff section)
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers (likely stock, no evidence of aftermarket pickups for this recording)
Amp
Gallien-Krueger GK 250 ML (solid-state combo, used for Hysteria album rhythm/riff sections)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1987. Steve Clark played the white Les Paul Custom with Kahler tremolo for the main riff. The Gallien-Krueger GK 250 ML was used for most rhythm/riff parts on Hysteria, as confirmed by multiple sources. Effects were added via rack and outboard gear, not amp built-ins. No evidence of live/touring rig for the studio recording.
Amp Settings
Mids6
Bass6
Gain7
Reverb2
Treble7.5
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Boss CE-2 Chorus · chorus
Guitar → Boss CE-2 Chorus → Gallien-Krueger GK 250 ML (with light digital reverb, no amp chorus)
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Tone Character
- tight, punchy rhythm
- chorused, wide stereo image
- percussive palm muting
- articulate and clear
- 80s arena rock clarity
- layered, harmonized power chords
- slight compression and sustain
- bright but not harsh
- controlled low end
- distinct chorus shimmer