This isn’t a dish you eat—it’s a dish you play. The “Kee Marcello Thin Lizzy” is a guitar tone recipe, a step-by-step guide to dialing in the signature sound of the Swedish guitarist known for his work with Europe and his time with a Thin Lizzy tribute act. It’s a practical, gear-focused approach to capturing that classic hard rock crunch, combining a Les Paul-style guitar, a Marshall-style amp, and specific pedal settings. This guide works because it breaks down the tone into its essential components, offering a clear path for guitarists at any level to get close to that iconic sound.
Ingredients
- 1 electric guitar with humbucker pickups (e.g., Gibson Les Paul or Epiphone Les Paul)
- 1 tube amp (e.g., Marshall JCM800, Plexi, or a modeling amp with a Marshall setting)
- 1 overdrive pedal (e.g., Ibanez Tube Screamer, Boss SD-1)
- 1 delay pedal (optional, for solos)
- 1 noise gate (optional, for high gain)
- Guitar cable (quality, low-capacitance)
- Guitar pick (medium to heavy gauge, e.g., 1.0mm)
- Fresh set of strings (10-46 gauge recommended)
- Tuner (clip-on or pedal)
Instructions
- Start with the guitar. Plug your humbucker-equipped guitar into your amp. Select the bridge pickup (the one closest to the bridge). Set your guitar’s volume knob to 10 and the tone knob to 8. This gives you the full output and a slight roll-off of the harshest highs.
- Set the amp’s foundation. If you’re using a tube amp, turn the master volume up to about 7 (this pushes the power tubes for natural compression). Set the preamp gain to 6, bass to 5, mid to 7, and treble to 6. The mid boost is crucial—Thin Lizzy’s tone is famously mid-forward, cutting through the mix without being harsh.
- Dial in the overdrive pedal. Plug the overdrive pedal between your guitar and the amp. Set the pedal’s drive (gain) to 3, tone to 6, and level to 8. The pedal should act as a clean boost with a slight edge, pushing the amp’s front end into overdrive. This is the “secret sauce” for that singing lead tone.
- Adjust for your room. Play a few power chords (like an E5 or A5) and adjust the amp’s bass and treble to your taste. If it sounds muddy, cut the bass slightly; if it’s too bright, roll back the treble a touch. The goal is a balanced, punchy tone that responds to your picking dynamics.
- Add delay for solos (optional). If you have a delay pedal, set it to a slap-back or a short echo (around 300ms) with one repeat, and mix it at 20%. This adds depth to your lead lines without washing out the rhythm.
- Check your tuning. Tune your guitar with your tuner. A well-tuned guitar is essential for any tone, but especially for the clean, articulate chords in Thin Lizzy songs.
- Test with a classic riff. Play the opening riff to “The Boys Are Back in Town” or “Jailbreak.” These riffs are perfect for testing your tone—they require a clean attack with a crunchy overdrive. Adjust the amp’s gain and the pedal’s drive until you get that sweet spot: enough grit to sustain, but not so much that it gets fuzzy.
Tips
- Substitutions: If you don’t have a Les Paul, any guitar with humbuckers will work. A Stratocaster with single-coils can be used, but you’ll need to add a humbucker-sized pedal or an EQ to boost the mids and thicken the sound. For the amp, a modeling amp like a Boss Katana or Fender Mustang can emulate a Marshall JCM800 perfectly—just select the appropriate model and adjust the settings accordingly.
- Storage: Your gear doesn’t need “storage” per se, but always unplug your guitar and turn off your amp after playing. Keep your pedals in a dry place, and consider using a surge protector for your electronics.
- Common mistakes: The biggest mistake is using too much gain. Thin Lizzy’s tone is more about the amp being pushed than the pedal’s distortion. Start with the pedal’s drive low and the amp’s volume high. Another mistake is neglecting the mid control—don’t scoop the mids; that will make you disappear in a live mix. Finally, don’t forget to use your guitar’s volume knob to clean up your sound for quieter passages.
Serving Suggestions
This tone is best served with classic Thin Lizzy songs. Try “The Boys Are Back in Town” (for rhythm and solo), “Jailbreak” (for that driving riff), and “Whiskey in the Jar” (for the clean, arpeggiated intro). You can also use it for other hard rock and classic metal tunes from the 70s and 80s—think AC/DC, UFO, or early Def Leppard. It pairs well with a band setting, cutting through the mix without stepping on the bass or vocals.
Variations
- Cleaner version: For a cleaner, more jangly tone (like on “Dancing in the Moonlight”), reduce the amp’s gain to 3, and turn the overdrive pedal off. This gives you a sparkling, chimey sound that still has a bit of grit when you dig in.
- More gain: If you want a heavier sound for modern rock, increase the amp’s gain to 8 and the pedal’s drive to 5. This adds more saturation and sustain, perfect for solos.
- Single-coil version: If you’re using a Strat or Tele, switch to the bridge pickup and add an EQ pedal with a mid boost (around 800Hz) and a slight treble roll-off. This will help emulate the humbucker’s thickness.
- Acoustic simulation: For a unique twist, use a piezo-equipped guitar or an acoustic simulator pedal. This gives you a percussive, acoustic-like tone that still works for Thin Lizzy’s rhythm parts.
Storage and Reheating
Your tone settings are “stored” in your amp and pedals. If you need to leave your gear, take a photo of your settings or write them down. For reheating, simply power up and play—your tone will be waiting. For your guitar, store it in a case or on a stand away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Strings should be changed every 2-3 months or after heavy playing, as they lose their brightness. If you’re using a modeling amp, save your preset to a user slot so you can recall it instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get this tone with a solid-state amp? Yes, but you’ll need to work harder. Solid-state amps don’t compress as naturally as tubes, so use the overdrive pedal to add compression and warmth. Set the amp’s gain to 5, and use a higher-quality overdrive pedal like a Tube Screamer.
What strings should I use? The gauge you use affects your tone. For this recipe, 10-46 gauge strings are ideal—they’re heavy enough to give you a thick sound but still easy to bend. If you prefer lighter strings (9s), you’ll need to boost the bass and mids slightly on your amp to compensate.
Why does my tone sound too thin? This usually happens when you cut the mids too much. Remember, the mid control is your friend. Set it to at least 7 on your amp, and if you’re using a pedal, keep its tone knob around 5-6. Also, make sure you’re using the bridge pickup, not the neck.
Do I need a noise gate? If you’re using high gain, a noise gate can help eliminate hum and buzz, especially when you’re not playing. Set the threshold just above the noise level, so it doesn’t cut off your sustain.
Can I use this tone for other genres? Absolutely! This mid-forward, crunchy tone works great for blues rock, classic metal, and even punk. Just adjust the gain and EQ to suit the style.
How do I get the “clean” intro of “Whiskey in the Jar”? For that clean, arpeggiated intro, turn off the overdrive pedal and set your amp’s gain to 2-3. Keep the mids at 5 and treble at 6. This gives you a clean, bell-like tone that still has a bit of edge when you pick harder.
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