GuitarDistortedRiff
Same Old Song and Dance Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Aerosmith
Aerosmith · 1970s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1959 or 1960, as used by Joe Perry and Brad Whitford on early Aerosmith recordings)
Pickups
Gibson PAF humbuckers
Amp
Marshall 100-watt Super Lead half-stack (vintage, loaded with Celestion greenbacks)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1973 (Get Your Wings sessions). Both Perry and Whitford have confirmed in interviews that the classic Aerosmith riff tones of this era were recorded with Les Pauls into vintage Marshall 100-watt heads, straight in, no pedals. No evidence of effects loop or outboard effects for the riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain6
Reverb1
Treble6.5
Presence6
Tone Matcher
Match This Tone to Your Gear
Tell us your guitar and amp — we’ll calculate the exact settings translated to your specific rig.
7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.
Tone Character
- classic British crunch
- tight and punchy rhythm
- midrange-forward
- articulate note separation
- warm but biting
- dynamic response to picking
- percussive attack
- dry, in-your-face sound
- no audible reverb or delay
- classic 70s rock riffing