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Riff Tone

The Last In Line

Dio

Guitarmetal1980s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (black, serial 72987537)
AmpMarshall 100-watt head (likely JCM800, 1984 studio recording)

Amp Settings

gain7.5
bass6

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Effects & Signal Chain

Notes

Studio recording at Caribou Ranch, 1984. Vivian Campbell used his black Les Paul with DiMarzio X2N pickups into a Marshall 100-watt head. Some sources mention a Boss distortion or overdrive pedal may have been used, but Campbell has stated his rig was very simple for Dio studio work, often just guitar → amp. No evidence of modulation or time-based pedals for the riff section.

Tone Character(10)
tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutingsaturated British crunchfocused midrange puncharticulate pick attackclear note separationhigh-output pickup biteminimal effects colorationclassic 80s metal rhythmslightly scooped but present mids

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, aggressive palm muting and precise alternate picking at a medium-fast tempo, with syncopated rhythms and a strong right-hand attack. While not extremely technical, it demands solid metal rhythm technique and stamina.

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