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Riff Tone
Cool the Engines
Boston
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarScholz custom-built guitar (likely based on Gibson Les Paul or Yamaha SG, as used by Tom Scholz in the 1980s studio recordings)
AmpScholz Rockman X100 (rackmount headphone amp/processor, used for Boston's 'Third Stage' album studio recordings)
Amp Settings
gain7
bass6
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Notes
Studio recording, 1985-1986 for 'Third Stage'. Tom Scholz was known for using his Rockman X100 for all guitar tracks on this album, not traditional amps. No evidence of live rig or alternate gear for this song's riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight, compressed attackbright and articulate highslush, harmonically rich rhythm tonechorused stereo spreadsinging sustain on chordsmidrange punchparticular grit to the tonenot a fuzz or high-gain metal soundslightly scooped low-midspolished, studio-processed clarity
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, accurate picking and tight palm muting to achieve the signature Boston attack, along with precise chord changes and rhythmic accuracy.
This tone has been researched 3 times by the community
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarScholz custom-built guitar (likely based on Gibson Les Paul or Yamaha SG, as used by Tom Scholz in the 1980s studio recordings)
AmpScholz Rockman X100 (rackmount headphone amp/processor, used for Boston's 'Third Stage' album studio recordings)
Amp Settings
gain7
bass6
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
This tone has been researched 3 times by the community
Notes
Studio recording, 1985-1986 for 'Third Stage'. Tom Scholz was known for using his Rockman X100 for all guitar tracks on this album, not traditional amps. No evidence of live rig or alternate gear for this song's riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight, compressed attackbright and articulate highslush, harmonically rich rhythm tonechorused stereo spreadsinging sustain on chordsmidrange punchparticular grit to the tonenot a fuzz or high-gain metal soundslightly scooped low-midspolished, studio-processed clarity
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, accurate picking and tight palm muting to achieve the signature Boston attack, along with precise chord changes and rhythmic accuracy.