GuitarDistortedRiff68% confidence
Too Much Time On My Hands Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Styx
Styx · 1980s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Deluxe (likely 1970s, mini-humbuckers, as used by Tommy Shaw in this era)
Pickups
Mini-humbuckers (Gibson stock, 1970s Les Paul Deluxe)
Amp
Marshall amplifier (likely JMP or JCM800, as used by Tommy Shaw in late 1970s/early 1980s Styx studio recordings)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1980-1981, Paradise Theatre album. No direct evidence of pedals or alternate guitars for the riff section. No evidence of DI or amp modelers; classic Marshall stack sound typical for Tommy Shaw in this era.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain6
Reverb2.5
Treble7
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.
Adapt to MY Gear →7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.
Tone Character
- classic British crunch
- tight and punchy rhythm
- slightly compressed attack
- clear note separation
- articulate midrange
- moderate sustain
- not overly saturated
- dynamic response to picking
- present but not harsh treble
- full-bodied chord voicings
Notes & Caveats
- No direct source confirms exact amp or pedal settings for the riff section; settings estimated based on typical Marshall usage for classic rock in the early 1980s.
- No explicit evidence of pedals or effects for the riff section; chorus or flanger is NOT audible in the main riff, only a dry, crunchy Marshall tone.
- Guitar model inferred from Tommy Shaw's known use of a Les Paul Deluxe with mini-humbuckers during this album's era.
- Pickup position inferred from the bright, punchy attack of the riff and typical classic rock rhythm tone.
- No official rig rundown or studio notes found for this specific song/section.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Tommy Shaw's riff tone on 'Too Much Time On My Hands' is classic early 80s rock: crunchy but not saturated, with full mids and a balanced EQ. Likely using a Marshall or similar amp, these settings reflect the era's production (moderate gain, forward mids, subtle reverb) and Styx's signature polished yet punchy guitar sound.