GuitarDistortedRiff
Summer of 69 (Classic Version) Guitar Tone Settings — Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams · 1980s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender Stratocaster (likely late 1970s or early 1980s, maple neck, stock single coils)
Pickups
Fender single-coil pickups
Amp
Vox AC30 (likely 1970s/early 1980s model, studio recording)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup (possibly bridge + middle for added body)
Studio recording, 1984; main riff section. Guitar and amp confirmed by multiple sources and interviews. No evidence of pedals used in the original studio riff, but chorus effect is clearly audible in the recording. Pickup selector likely in bridge or bridge+middle position for bright, cutting tone.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6
Gain5.5
Reverb2.5
Treble7
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Chorus pedal (model unknown) · chorus
Fender Stratocaster → Chorus pedal (model unknown) → Vox AC30 (spring reverb on low)
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Tone Character
- bright and cutting
- crunchy and open
- chorus shimmer
- tight and percussive
- clear single-coil articulation
- slight amp breakup
- dynamic pick attack
- 80s pop-rock sheen
- not heavily saturated
- classic rock rhythm