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Riff Tone
Don't Look Back
Boston
Guitarrock1970s
Original Gear
Guitar1968 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe (modded, likely with DiMarzio Super Distortion pickups)
AmpMarshall Super Lead 100 (1970s, likely modded, into custom Scholz speaker cabs)
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass6.5
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Notes
Studio recording, 1978. Tom Scholz used a heavily modified Les Paul Deluxe with DiMarzio pickups, Marshall Super Lead 100, and extensive use of outboard EQ and effects. Not the Rockman (which was invented later).
Tone Character(10)
singing sustaintight, compressed rhythm crunchharmonically rich power chordsmid-forward EQ curve (800 Hz emphasis)smooth, saturated overdriveclear note separation in chordsslight chorus shimmerstudio-polished, layered soundchunky, articulate attacknotably compressed and EQ’d
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, articulate rhythm playing with palm muting and precise timing, plus the challenge of matching the layered, harmonically rich studio sound.
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1970s
Original Gear
Guitar1968 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe (modded, likely with DiMarzio Super Distortion pickups)
AmpMarshall Super Lead 100 (1970s, likely modded, into custom Scholz speaker cabs)
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass6.5
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1978. Tom Scholz used a heavily modified Les Paul Deluxe with DiMarzio pickups, Marshall Super Lead 100, and extensive use of outboard EQ and effects. Not the Rockman (which was invented later).
Tone Character(10)
singing sustaintight, compressed rhythm crunchharmonically rich power chordsmid-forward EQ curve (800 Hz emphasis)smooth, saturated overdriveclear note separation in chordsslight chorus shimmerstudio-polished, layered soundchunky, articulate attacknotably compressed and EQ’d
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, articulate rhythm playing with palm muting and precise timing, plus the challenge of matching the layered, harmonically rich studio sound.