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Riff Tone

Xanadu (Remastered 2013)

Rush

Guitarrock1970s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson ES-355
AmpHiwatt DR103 (likely studio amp for 'Xanadu' 1977 recording)

Amp Settings

gain6
bass5.5

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Effects & Signal Chain

Notes

Studio recording, 1977. Lifeson used a Gibson ES-355 into a Hiwatt DR103 for the main riff section of 'Xanadu'. Pedals included Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress flanger and likely a delay. Settings are based on period-correct gear and multiple sources. Not to be confused with later live rigs (Marshall, Hughes & Kettner).

Tone Character(10)
thick and articulatecrunchy with moderate saturationbright and presentstrong midrange for mix cutbalanced low endlush modulationwarm sustaindynamic responsesubtle room ambiancecomplex chord voicings remain clear

Difficulty

The riff requires advanced chord shapes, tight rhythmic precision in odd time signatures, and careful control of effects for clarity and articulation.

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