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To Hell with the Devil Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Stryper
Stryper · 1980s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Jackson Soloist (Bengal Tiger finish, 1986 era)
Pickups
Seymour Duncan humbuckers (exact model likely JB in bridge, 1980s spec)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (studio recording, 1986)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording for 'To Hell with the Devil' (1986). Michael Sweet and Oz Fox both used Jackson Soloists with Seymour Duncan humbuckers. The Mark IIC+ was the primary amp for the album's heavy rhythm tones. No evidence of digital processors or modern pedals on the original studio recording. Live rigs and later interviews mention other amps and effects, but these do not apply to the original 1986 studio recording.
Amp Settings
Mids4
Bass5.5
Gain7.5
Reverb1.5
Treble7
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Noise gate (model unknown) · noise_gate
Jackson Soloist (bridge pickup) → Noise gate → Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (light spring reverb)
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- scooped mids
- aggressive palm muting
- high-gain saturation
- crisp attack
- articulate rhythm
- singing sustain
- layered harmonies
- bright top end
- focused low end
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings for the original 1986 studio recording were found; settings are estimated based on typical 1980s Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ metal tones and genre conventions.
- Later interviews reference Washburn, GMW, and digital processors, but these are from post-2000s and do not apply to the 1986 recording.
- No explicit mention of pedals or effects used in the studio for the riff section; effects list is based on audio analysis and era-typical practices.
- Pickup model is inferred from era-correct Jackson Soloist specs and artist interviews.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Stryper's 'To Hell with the Devil' features a classic mid-80s LA metal tone: high gain for saturated palm mutes, tight low end, scooped mids, and bright, cutting highs. The production is dry and punchy, with minimal reverb, matching the era's metal conventions and the band's typical Marshall/JCM800-based rig.