Song Rig
Rock of Ages
Steve Clark · Pyromania · 1983
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
Clark and Phil Collen's twin-guitar Pyromania sound at its most iconic — thick, layered Marshall crunch with precise palm-muting articulation. The Mutt Lange production stacks multiple guitar tracks but the core tone is Clark's Les Paul into a Marshall stack.
Signal Chain
- 1Gibson Les Paul Standard (bridge humbucker)
- 2Marshall JCM800 2203
- 3Boss CE-2 Chorus (wet mix on some lead lines)
Amp Settings
JCM800 with moderate-high preamp gain — Def Leppard's Pyromania tone used the JCM800's preamp distortion more aggressively than early NWOBHM artists. Multiple guitar tracks are layered in the studio, so the individual guitar sits slightly drier in isolation than it sounds on the record.
Technique
How to Play It
Precise palm-muted chugging on the low E and A strings with tight rhythmic control — the Def Leppard approach emphasized rhythmic precision and studio overdubbing rather than live improvisation. The synth intro was actually a keyboard, not a guitar.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Les Paul → JCM800 or modern equivalent (DSL20, Friedman Runt) → layer 2 guitar tracks in your DAW panned L and R for the Pyromania effect.
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
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