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Riff Tone
Top Gun Anthem
Harold Faltermeyer & Steve Stevens
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarCharvel San Dimas Glow
Amp1968 Marshall Plexi Super Lead 100-watt (stock)
Amp Settings
gain7
bass6
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Notes
Studio recording, 1985-1986. Gear confirmed by Steve Stevens in multiple interviews. Not the Hamer SS seen in the music video. Used a Boss GE-7 EQ pedal to push the amp for more gain. Some sources mention a Boss Compressor, but for the riff section, the GE-7 is consistently cited.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainBritish crunchtight and articulate attackclear note separationrich harmonic overtonessmooth but present midrangeclassic 80s rock leadpushed Marshall breakupEQ boost for extra gainnot overly saturated
Difficulty
The riff requires solid alternate picking, expressive vibrato, and melodic phrasing typical of 80s rock, but does not reach the technical complexity of the solo.
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarCharvel San Dimas Glow
Amp1968 Marshall Plexi Super Lead 100-watt (stock)
Amp Settings
gain7
bass6
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1985-1986. Gear confirmed by Steve Stevens in multiple interviews. Not the Hamer SS seen in the music video. Used a Boss GE-7 EQ pedal to push the amp for more gain. Some sources mention a Boss Compressor, but for the riff section, the GE-7 is consistently cited.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainBritish crunchtight and articulate attackclear note separationrich harmonic overtonessmooth but present midrangeclassic 80s rock leadpushed Marshall breakupEQ boost for extra gainnot overly saturated
Difficulty
The riff requires solid alternate picking, expressive vibrato, and melodic phrasing typical of 80s rock, but does not reach the technical complexity of the solo.