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Solo Tone
"Heroes" (2017 Remaster)
David Bowie
Guitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (Robert Fripp's main guitar for the solo section)
AmpHiwatt DR103 Custom 100 Head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet (Fripp's known studio rig for 'Heroes')
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6
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Notes
Studio recording, 1977 (2017 Remaster is a remaster of the original 1977 recording); solo performed by Robert Fripp using his Les Paul Custom with a Hiwatt/Marshall stack. Not live settings. No evidence of Bowie playing the solo or using alternate guitars for this part.
Tone Character(10)
sustained, violin-like leadsinging sustainfuzzed-out, compressedambient and soaringfeedback-driven sustainrich, harmonically complexthick and saturatedlayered, atmosphericnotably smooth attackdistinctive Fripp sustain
Difficulty
The solo requires advanced control of feedback, sustain, and vibrato, as well as expressive phrasing and dynamic nuance to achieve the iconic Fripp sound.
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (Robert Fripp's main guitar for the solo section)
AmpHiwatt DR103 Custom 100 Head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet (Fripp's known studio rig for 'Heroes')
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1977 (2017 Remaster is a remaster of the original 1977 recording); solo performed by Robert Fripp using his Les Paul Custom with a Hiwatt/Marshall stack. Not live settings. No evidence of Bowie playing the solo or using alternate guitars for this part.
Tone Character(10)
sustained, violin-like leadsinging sustainfuzzed-out, compressedambient and soaringfeedback-driven sustainrich, harmonically complexthick and saturatedlayered, atmosphericnotably smooth attackdistinctive Fripp sustain
Difficulty
The solo requires advanced control of feedback, sustain, and vibrato, as well as expressive phrasing and dynamic nuance to achieve the iconic Fripp sound.