Back to CommunityCreate Free Account
Riff Tone
I Need You Tonight
ZZ Top
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarDean Z (custom, 1980s, used on Eliminator sessions)
AmpLegend Rock 'N' Roll 50 (1x12" combo, solid state preamp/tube power amp, used on Eliminator)
Amp Settings
gain4.5
bass6.5
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1982-1983. Nearly all guitar on Eliminator, including 'I Need You Tonight' riff, was tracked with a Dean Z into a Legend Rock 'N' Roll 50 amp, close-miked with an AKG 414B-ULS. No tone control on guitar. Direct-to-board not used for riff (see solo for Strat/DI info).
Tone Character(10)
smooth and glassyedge-of-breakup claritywarm, round low endslightly saturated but not crunchyclear, singing sustaintouch-sensitive responsestudio-polishedsubtle delay ambienceminimal compressionno harshness or fizz
Difficulty
The riff is technically straightforward but demands careful touch and dynamic control to maintain the smooth, glassy edge-of-breakup tone and sustain, especially at a slow tempo.
Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear
Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarDean Z (custom, 1980s, used on Eliminator sessions)
AmpLegend Rock 'N' Roll 50 (1x12" combo, solid state preamp/tube power amp, used on Eliminator)
Amp Settings
gain4.5
bass6.5
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1982-1983. Nearly all guitar on Eliminator, including 'I Need You Tonight' riff, was tracked with a Dean Z into a Legend Rock 'N' Roll 50 amp, close-miked with an AKG 414B-ULS. No tone control on guitar. Direct-to-board not used for riff (see solo for Strat/DI info).
Tone Character(10)
smooth and glassyedge-of-breakup claritywarm, round low endslightly saturated but not crunchyclear, singing sustaintouch-sensitive responsestudio-polishedsubtle delay ambienceminimal compressionno harshness or fizz
Difficulty
The riff is technically straightforward but demands careful touch and dynamic control to maintain the smooth, glassy edge-of-breakup tone and sustain, especially at a slow tempo.