Song Rig
Chromazone
Mike Stern · Upside Downside · 1986
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
Miles Davis band alumni fusion — the record that introduced Stern to a wider audience. The tone is more polished than live recordings, with the Soldano providing a refined high-gain character that suits the studio production.
Signal Chain
- 1Fender Telecaster (humbucker in neck, single-coil bridge)
- 2Soldano SLO-100
Amp Settings
High gain with bright treble — Stern's 1986 studio sound pushed the Soldano harder than later recordings. The Telecaster's neck humbucker provides more warmth in the lower register than a standard Tele neck single-coil.
Technique
How to Play It
Chromatic jazz lines at high tempo with bluesy bends — the 'chromazone' style blends the chromatic approach of bebop with the bend-heavy vocabulary of blues-rock.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Telecaster with humbucker neck replacement → high-gain amp (Mesa Mark or JCM800) → keep the treble high for note separation.
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
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