Song Rig
Foolin'
Steve Clark · Pyromania · 1983
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
Full Pyromania production — the acoustic guitar intro gives way to a massive twin-guitar electric crunch. Clark's lead tone here is slightly brighter than Rock of Ages, using more treble presence to cut through the dense layered production.
Signal Chain
- 1Gibson Les Paul Standard (bridge humbucker)
- 2Marshall JCM800 2203
- 3TC Electronic chorus (subtle, stereo)
Amp Settings
Slightly brighter JCM800 setting than other Pyromania tracks — the complex chordal movement in the verse requires the midrange and treble to be clear enough to distinguish individual chord voicings. Presence is higher to maintain definition in the high end.
Technique
How to Play It
Complex chord voicings moving around the neck — Foolin' uses more sophisticated harmony than the straight-ahead riffing of Rock of Ages. Clark and Collen's guitar parts interlock harmonically throughout the verse.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Les Paul → JCM800 or Friedman BE-100 → TC Electronic chorus at low mix. Studio layering is key: record the rhythm part twice and pan hard L/R.
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
More from Steve Clark
Other Song Rigs
Pour Some Sugar on Me
Hysteria · 1987
Def Leppard's biggest single and a masterclass in 1980s arena rock guitar produc…
View rig →Photograph
Pyromania · 1983
The Pyromania album's signature track — Clark's guitar tone on the Pyromania alb…
View rig →Love Bites
Hysteria · 1987
Def Leppard's most successful power ballad — Clark's clean, sustained guitar pro…
View rig →Rock of Ages
Pyromania · 1983
Clark and Phil Collen's twin-guitar Pyromania sound at its most iconic — thick, …
View rig →Bringin' On the Heartbreak
High 'n' Dry · 1981
Clark at his most melodic — a power-ballad tone that predates the Pyromania laye…
View rig →