GuitarDistortedSolo80% confidence
Ziggy Stardust (2012 Remaster) Guitar Tone Settings — David Bowie
David Bowie · 1970s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Custom (early 1970s, likely 1968 model)
Pickups
Gibson PAF-style humbuckers
Amp
Marshall Major 200W head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1972 (used for 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars', 2012 Remaster is a remaster of this original session). Mick Ronson played the solo, not Bowie. No evidence of live/tour gear being used in the studio for this track.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain6
Reverb2.5
Treble7
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Sola Sound Tone Bender MK1 · fuzz
Gibson Les Paul Custom → Sola Sound Tone Bender MK1 → Marshall Major 200 (with light spring reverb)
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Tone Character
- singing sustain
- rich midrange
- classic British crunch
- fuzzed-out lead tone
- aggressive attack
- wide vibrato
- cutting upper mids
- tight low end
- harmonic overtones
- punchy solo presence
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings found for the studio session; settings estimated based on era, amp model, and genre.
- Pedal order inferred from typical Ronson rig and audible fuzz in the solo.
- No evidence of time-based or modulation effects (delay, chorus, flanger, phaser) in the solo; only fuzz and possible light amp reverb.
- All gear and effects are specific to the studio recording, not live performances.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Mick Ronson's Ziggy-era tone was classic British crunch, likely through a cranked Marshall with Les Paul, yielding edge-of-breakup to crunchy sustain, strong mids, and a slightly bright but not harsh top end. The solo has moderate ambience, forward mids, and a balanced low end, typical of early '70s glam rock production.