Song Rig
Love Bites
Steve Clark · Hysteria · 1987
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
Def Leppard's most successful power ballad — Clark's clean, sustained guitar provides the emotional foundation beneath Bowie's vocal. The tone is warm, slightly chorus-processed, and carefully placed in the mix to support rather than dominate. This is Clark at his most restrained and song-serving.
Signal Chain
- 1Gibson Les Paul (neck pickup, volume ~7)
- 2Marshall clean channel or Fender clean amp
- 3TC Electronic Chorus
Amp Settings
Clean and warm for the ballad context — the heavy Les Paul tone is set aside for a warm, lush clean sound with chorus. The chorus adds width without the coldness of a traditional reverb effect.
Technique
How to Play It
Sustained, melodic lead over clean chords — the guitar solo on Love Bites is one of Clark's most melodically focused, with long sustained notes and careful vibrato rather than the technical display of the heavier album tracks.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Les Paul neck pickup → clean amp → TC Electronic Corona or Boss CE-2 chorus → hall reverb → play melodically and slowly, allowing each note to sustain completely before moving to the next.
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
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