Song Rig

Too Hot to Handle

Michael Schenker · Lights Out · 1977

Tone Overview

What Makes This Sound Unique

UFO's most driving hard rock track — Schenker's Flying V through the Marshall at full volume produces the power-trio hard rock tone that influenced every British rock band that followed. The tone is simultaneously aggressive and musical, with the Flying V providing more mahogany warmth than expected from such an angular instrument.

Signal Chain

1Gibson Flying V (1974 white, Schenker signature)
2Marshall JMP 100W Super Lead
3Marshall 4×12 cabinet

Amp Settings

Gain / Volume7

Bass7

Mid7

Treble7

Presence7

The Flying V/Marshall JMP combination at high volume — the JMP (pre-Master volume) requires cranking to achieve natural overdrive, which adds power amp saturation rather than just preamp distortion.

Technique

How to Play It

Aggressive alternate picking with wide vibrato — Schenker combines precise picking with a dramatic arm vibrato that has a wider pitch range than most British rock guitarists of the era, giving his lines a more operatic quality.

Budget Alternative

Achievable With

Flying V or any V-shape guitar → Marshall JMP or JCM800 at high volume → no pedals. The natural power amp saturation of a cranked Marshall is the defining element of the UFO guitar tone.

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