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Riff Tone
Legs (Edit)
ZZ Top
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarDean Z (custom 'ZZ Top' model, likely with DiMarzio Super Distortion bridge pickup, as used by Billy Gibbons on Eliminator album sessions)
AmpMarshall JCM 800 (modded, studio recording, Eliminator era)
Amp Settings
gain7
bass6
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Notes
Studio recording, 1983 (Eliminator album sessions). Billy Gibbons used a custom Dean Z with a DiMarzio Super Distortion in the bridge for the main riff. The amp was a Marshall JCM 800, likely modded, with effects added in the studio. No evidence of live rig or other guitars for this specific part.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussiveprocessed and polishedbright and cuttingsynth-like sustainpunchy midrangemodulation shimmermechanical groovehigh clarityslightly compresseddistinct stereo movement
Difficulty
The riff is rhythmically tight and requires precise palm muting and timing to lock in with the mechanical groove and modulation effect, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast playing.
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarDean Z (custom 'ZZ Top' model, likely with DiMarzio Super Distortion bridge pickup, as used by Billy Gibbons on Eliminator album sessions)
AmpMarshall JCM 800 (modded, studio recording, Eliminator era)
Amp Settings
gain7
bass6
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1983 (Eliminator album sessions). Billy Gibbons used a custom Dean Z with a DiMarzio Super Distortion in the bridge for the main riff. The amp was a Marshall JCM 800, likely modded, with effects added in the studio. No evidence of live rig or other guitars for this specific part.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussiveprocessed and polishedbright and cuttingsynth-like sustainpunchy midrangemodulation shimmermechanical groovehigh clarityslightly compresseddistinct stereo movement
Difficulty
The riff is rhythmically tight and requires precise palm muting and timing to lock in with the mechanical groove and modulation effect, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast playing.