Song Rig

Detroit Rock City

Ace Frehley · Destroyer · 1976

Tone Overview

What Makes This Sound Unique

Opening riff perfection — a driving, palm-muted descent that establishes the heavy-rock template for the next decade. Ace's tone on Destroyer is slightly more produced and polished than earlier KISS, with more studio separation. The rhythm tone is tight and punchy; the lead tone is singing and sustained.

Signal Chain

1Gibson Les Paul Custom
2Marshall Super Lead (Destroyer-era modifications)
3studio effects (room reverb, tape delay for lead)

Amp Settings

Gain / Volume9

Bass7

Mid6

Treble7

Presence8

Slightly more controlled than the live KISS tone — Destroyer was a landmark production (Bob Ezrin). The rhythm guitar has a tighter, more defined character. The lead tone adds studio reverb and tape delay for the singing sustain quality.

Technique

How to Play It

Palm-muted driving riff with a descending chromatic passing tone — the opening riff uses a chromatic note between scale degrees that gives it extra menace. Lead sections: full Les Paul sustain with wide vibrato and big bends.

Budget Alternative

Achievable With

Les Paul → Marshall JCM800 or DSL50 → noise gate for tightness. Lead tone: add room reverb and a touch of tape delay (Boss RE-20 or analog delay unit).

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