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Riff Tone

Smoke on the Water (2024 Remaster)

Deep Purple

Guitarrock1970s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (early 1970s, maple neck, stock single coils, likely 1968-1971 model)
AmpMarshall Major 200W head (model 1967, non-master volume, EL34s, 4x12 cabinet, studio recording)

Amp Settings

gain3.5
bass6

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Effects & Signal Chain

Notes

Studio recording, 1971-1972, Machine Head album sessions. Ritchie Blackmore used a Stratocaster with stock single coils into a Marshall Major head. For the riff (cleanest section), he used the amp at low gain, with a Hornby-Skewes Treble Booster for edge, but not full distortion. No evidence of pedals or time-based effects for the clean riff. No effects loop used; all effects (if any) are preamp or amp-based. No reverb or delay audible or cited for the clean riff.

Tone Character(10)
bright and articulateclear, punchy attacktight, focused low endslight edge from treble boosterdynamic and responsiveno audible reverb or delaypercussive, rhythmic clarityclassic British clean rock soundno modulation or time-based effectsslightly glassy Stratocaster timbre

Difficulty

The riff is iconic and accessible, using simple power chords and a straightforward rhythm, but requires clean picking and timing for clarity.

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