Back to CommunityCreate Free Account
Riff Tone
Ace of Spades
Motörhead
Guitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (late 1970s, likely 1976-1979, used by 'Fast' Eddie Clarke on studio recording)
AmpMarshall JMP 1959 Super Lead 100W head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (Celestion G12M speakers, studio recording)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass5.5
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1980. Gear confirmed by multiple interviews and period photos. No evidence of pedals or effects used on the main riff in the studio version. Live rigs sometimes included a wah or boost, but not on the original recording.
Tone Character(10)
aggressive and bitingtight and percussiveraw British crunchmid-scooped, treble-forwarddry, no ambiencehigh-output humbucker clarityloud and in-your-facefast attackminimal sustainuncompressed, open dynamics
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, consistent alternate picking and tight palm muting at a high tempo, demanding stamina and precision, but uses straightforward power chord shapes.
Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear
Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (late 1970s, likely 1976-1979, used by 'Fast' Eddie Clarke on studio recording)
AmpMarshall JMP 1959 Super Lead 100W head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (Celestion G12M speakers, studio recording)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass5.5
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1980. Gear confirmed by multiple interviews and period photos. No evidence of pedals or effects used on the main riff in the studio version. Live rigs sometimes included a wah or boost, but not on the original recording.
Tone Character(10)
aggressive and bitingtight and percussiveraw British crunchmid-scooped, treble-forwarddry, no ambiencehigh-output humbucker clarityloud and in-your-facefast attackminimal sustainuncompressed, open dynamics
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, consistent alternate picking and tight palm muting at a high tempo, demanding stamina and precision, but uses straightforward power chord shapes.