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Spectral Mornings — Steve Hackett1 / 2
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Spectral Mornings Solo Guitar Tone Settings — Steve Hackett

Steve Hackett · 1970s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Goldtop (1970s, likely with stock PAF-style humbuckers)
Pickups
PAF-style humbuckers
Amp
Marshall 50-watt 1987x Plexi head
Pickup Position
Neck pickup

Studio recording, 1979. Steve Hackett confirmed use of his Goldtop Les Paul and Marshall Plexi heads for the 'Spectral Mornings' album. Fernandes guitar with Sustainer pickup was also used on the album, but the Les Paul is most associated with the main solo. No evidence of live rig or modern amps for the original studio recording.

Amp Settings

Mids
7
Bass
6
Gain
6
Reverb
6.5
Treble
6.5
Presence
5.5

Effects Chain

  • Volume pedal (model unknown, likely Korg) · other
  • Delay pedal (model unknown, likely analog or tape echo) · delay
  • Reverb pedal or studio plate reverb (model unknown) · reverb

Guitar → Volume pedal → Delay pedal → Marshall Plexi head (with plate reverb)

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Tone Character

  • singing sustain
  • smooth, violin-like lead tone
  • warm and expressive vibrato
  • fluid legato phrasing
  • rich harmonic overtones
  • touch-sensitive dynamics
  • slightly compressed attack
  • lush, ambient reverb
  • clear note separation
  • classic British overdrive

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct numeric amp settings found for the studio recording; values estimated based on typical Marshall Plexi settings for 1970s progressive rock and Hackett's described tone.
  • ⚠️Pedal/effect model specifics for the original studio solo are not confirmed in sources; effects included based on audio analysis and Hackett's era-appropriate gear.
  • ⚠️Fernandes Sustainer guitar was used on some tracks, but sources and audio suggest the Goldtop Les Paul for the main solo on 'Spectral Mornings'.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Steve Hackett's 'Spectral Mornings' solo features a smooth, sustaining, edge-of-breakup to mild crunch tone with prominent mids and lush reverb, typical of his late 70s setup (likely Hiwatt or Marshall with Roland/Binson echo and plate reverb). The tone is warm and vocal, with mids pushed for expressiveness, moderate bass, restrained treble, and a prominent ambient reverb characteristic of the track.

Sources