GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
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
Notes & Caveats
- No exact amp knob settings found for Gallien-Krueger GK 250 ML on 'Pour Some Sugar On Me'; settings estimated based on typical 80s rock tones and the amp's characteristics.
- Pedal/effect models are inferred from era, genre, and audible effects, as no direct studio pedalboard photo or session sheet is available.
- Chorus effect is clearly audible and widely cited as essential to the Hysteria rhythm sound, but exact model for this track is not confirmed; Boss CE-2 and TC Electronic 1210 are both associated with the album.
- Delay and reverb are present but likely added in post-production or via rack units, not via pedals or amp built-ins.
- Pickup position inferred from typical Les Paul rhythm usage and tone; not explicitly stated in sources.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Def Leppard's 'Pour Some Sugar On Me' features a polished, high-gain 80s hard rock tone with tight lows, present but not scooped mids, and bright, cutting highs typical of Mutt Lange's production. The amp settings reflect the era's processed sound, likely using Marshall amps with moderate bass, balanced mids, and boosted treble/presence for clarity, with minimal reverb as most ambience was added in post-production.