GuitarDistortedSolo
Rockin' In the Free World Solo Guitar Tone Settings — Neil Young
Neil Young · 1980s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1953 Gibson Les Paul 'Old Black' (heavily modified, mini-humbucker in neck, Firebird pickup in bridge, Bigsby vibrato)
Pickups
Firebird mini-humbucker (bridge), P-90 (neck, replaced with mini-humbucker), custom wiring
Amp
1959 Fender Tweed Deluxe (5E3 circuit), cranked
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup (Firebird mini-humbucker)
Studio recording, 1989. All evidence points to the classic 'Old Black' Les Paul and the Tweed Deluxe being the core for the solo. No evidence of other guitars or amps for this section. Amp is run at maximum volume and tone for signature distortion. No explicit pedal use confirmed for this recording; distortion is from amp. Plate reverb added in studio. No evidence of delay, chorus, flanger, or wah on the solo. Reverb is from outboard plate, not amp spring.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6.5
Gain8
Reverb4
Treble7.5
Presence5.5
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Tone Character
- massive, ragged distortion
- screaming, chaotic solo tone
- raw and uncompressed
- dynamic and touch-sensitive
- fuzzy, saturated overdrive
- explosive attack
- loose low end
- pronounced midrange
- bright, biting treble
- sustaining, feedback-prone