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Riff Tone
The Way It Is
Tesla
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1980s, Frank Hannon's main studio guitar for this era)
AmpMarshall JCM800 (likely 2203 or 2204, standard for Tesla's 1980s studio recordings)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6
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Notes
Studio recording, 1989 album 'The Great Radio Controversy'. Gear inferred from era, genre, and artist's known studio rig. No direct source ties a specific pedal or amp to this exact song, but this is the consensus for Tesla's late 80s studio rhythm tones.
Tone Character(10)
punchy and dynamictight and articulateclassic British crunchwarm midrange focusclear note separationfull-bodied chordsslightly compressed attacknatural amp-driven overdriveno excessive fizz or harshnessresponsive to picking dynamics
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate-level control of palm muting, tight rhythm, and dynamic picking, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or complex chord voicings.
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1980s, Frank Hannon's main studio guitar for this era)
AmpMarshall JCM800 (likely 2203 or 2204, standard for Tesla's 1980s studio recordings)
Amp Settings
gain6
bass6
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1989 album 'The Great Radio Controversy'. Gear inferred from era, genre, and artist's known studio rig. No direct source ties a specific pedal or amp to this exact song, but this is the consensus for Tesla's late 80s studio rhythm tones.
Tone Character(10)
punchy and dynamictight and articulateclassic British crunchwarm midrange focusclear note separationfull-bodied chordsslightly compressed attacknatural amp-driven overdriveno excessive fizz or harshnessresponsive to picking dynamics
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate-level control of palm muting, tight rhythm, and dynamic picking, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or complex chord voicings.