GuitarDistortedRiff
Sharp Dressed Man Riff Guitar Tone Settings — ZZ Top
ZZ Top · 1980s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1959 Sunburst, used in studio for Eliminator)
Pickups
Gibson PAF humbuckers
Amp
Marshall 100-watt (likely JMP or JCM800) blended with Vox Super Beatle and Legend 50 combo
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1983 (Eliminator album). Billy Gibbons states the riff tone is a blend of Marshall 100-watt stack, Vox Super Beatle, and Legend 50 combo. No evidence of live rig or other guitars for this section.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6.5
Gain6.5
Reverb2
Treble7
Presence6
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Tone Character
- rich and harmonically complex
- tight, punchy attack
- saturated but articulate
- classic British crunch
- full-bodied midrange
- slightly compressed
- clear note separation
- not overly scooped
- touch-sensitive
- subtle studio ambience