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Riff Tone
A Man I'll Never Be
Boston
Guitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Goldtop (1957, with DiMarzio Super Distortion bridge pickup, modified by Tom Scholz)
AmpMarshall Super Lead (1959 model, modded by Scholz), possibly with Power Soak
Amp Settings
gain5.5
bass6.5
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Notes
Studio recording, 1977-1978, Don't Look Back album. Scholz is known for heavy studio layering and custom signal chains. No evidence of Rockman on this album; Rockman was developed after. Effects are likely rack or pedal-based, not amp built-in.
Tone Character(10)
rich and harmonically layeredcrunchy but smoothclear note separationsinging sustainslightly compressed attackmidrange-focusedtight and controlled low endwarm but present highsstudio-polisheddistinct stereo double-tracking
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate skill due to its chord voicings, precise timing for double-tracked parts, and dynamic control to maintain clarity in a harmonically rich mix.
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Goldtop (1957, with DiMarzio Super Distortion bridge pickup, modified by Tom Scholz)
AmpMarshall Super Lead (1959 model, modded by Scholz), possibly with Power Soak
Amp Settings
gain5.5
bass6.5
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1977-1978, Don't Look Back album. Scholz is known for heavy studio layering and custom signal chains. No evidence of Rockman on this album; Rockman was developed after. Effects are likely rack or pedal-based, not amp built-in.
Tone Character(10)
rich and harmonically layeredcrunchy but smoothclear note separationsinging sustainslightly compressed attackmidrange-focusedtight and controlled low endwarm but present highsstudio-polisheddistinct stereo double-tracking
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate skill due to its chord voicings, precise timing for double-tracked parts, and dynamic control to maintain clarity in a harmonically rich mix.