How to Get Tom Scholz’s Guitar Sound

Tom Scholz's guitar sound with Boston is like a sonic fingerprint—distinct, rich, and instantly recognizable. If you've ever cranked up "More Than a Feeling" and marveled at that lush guitar tone, you're not alone. Many guitarists have tried to capture that magic in their own playing. We'll break down the elements that make Scholz's sound so iconic and give you the tools to bring a bit of that Boston vibe to your setup.

The Scholz Sound: What's It All About?

Tom Scholz's guitar tone is a blend of several elements, each contributing to that powerful, yet melodic sound. His signature tone is a balance of thick distortion, crisp clarity, and a touch of sustain, which he achieved through both innovative equipment and technique. At the heart of Scholz's sound is the Rockman, a headphone amplifier he designed himself, which became a staple for capturing that Boston vibe. But beyond gear, it’s also about how he plays. Scholz's approach is precise and melodic, focusing on crafting memorable riffs and solos that complement rather than overpower the song.

Understanding the Gear

Getting Scholz's sound starts with understanding his gear choices. He famously used a Gibson Les Paul and a variety of custom amplifiers and effects to shape his tone. The Rockman amplifier, his own creation, was revolutionary for its time, providing a compact way to achieve studio-quality sound. The Rockman delivers that characteristic chorus and delay effect that adds depth and dimension to the guitar sound. If you can't get your hands on a vintage Rockman, there are modern alternatives and software plugins that can emulate its sound quite convincingly.

Guitars and Pickups

Scholz primarily used a Gibson Les Paul, known for its solid body and humbucker pickups that produce a warm, full sound. The humbuckers are crucial for that fat tone, providing the necessary sustain and depth. While a Les Paul is ideal, any guitar with similar humbucker pickups can get you in the ballpark. The key is to focus on the pickup selection and settings. For Scholz's sound, the bridge pickup is typically favored, offering that sharp, cutting edge needed for his riffs.

The Amp Setup

While the Rockman is a cornerstone of Scholz's sound, his amp setup also played a significant role. He used a combination of Marshall amps and custom mods to achieve his tone. The Marshall's natural overdrive is a big part of the sound, providing that crunchy yet clear distortion. If you're using a different amp, try setting your gain to achieve a thick, saturated sound without losing clarity. Balancing the EQ is also critical—boost the mids and keep the treble and bass balanced for that punchy, direct tone.

Effects: Chorus, Delay, and Reverb

Effects are a crucial part of Scholz's sound, adding richness and space to his guitar tone. The Rockman's built-in chorus and delay are essential for that lush, full sound. The chorus adds width and dimension, while the delay provides a subtle echo that makes the guitar sound larger than life. To replicate this, start with a moderate chorus depth and rate, and adjust the delay to match the tempo of your playing. Reverb can also be used sparingly to add a sense of space, but the key is not to overdo it.

Dialing in the Tone

Once you have the right gear, it's all about dialing in the tone. Scholz's settings often involve a balance between distortion and clarity. Start with your amp's gain at around halfway, and then adjust to taste. You want enough gain to sustain notes and create a thick sound, but not so much that it becomes muddy. The EQ settings are equally important. Scholz often boosted the mids to create that singing quality in his solos, while keeping the bass and treble balanced. Experiment with these settings to find the sweet spot for your setup.

Technique: Picking and Phrasing

Beyond gear, Scholz's playing technique is a big part of his sound. His picking is precise and controlled, often using alternate picking to maintain clarity in fast passages. His phrasing is melodic and expressive, focusing on creating memorable lines that enhance the song. Practice playing slowly and deliberately, focusing on clarity and expression. Use bends, slides, and vibrato to add emotion to your playing, just like Scholz does in his solos.

Layering and Harmonies

One of the hallmarks of Scholz's sound is his use of guitar layering and harmonies. In many Boston songs, you'll hear multiple guitar tracks working together to create a rich, full sound. Scholz often used harmonized guitar lines to add depth and interest. To emulate this, try recording multiple guitar tracks with slightly different tones and playing harmonized parts. Experiment with thirds, fifths, and octaves to find harmonies that complement your main melody.

Recording Techniques

Scholz's sound isn't just about live performance—it's also about how he recorded. In the studio, he used techniques like double tracking to thicken the sound and create a more polished final product. Double tracking involves recording the same part twice and panning each track to opposite sides of the stereo field. This creates a fuller, more immersive sound. When recording, focus on playing each take as consistently as possible to maintain clarity and definition.

Modern Alternatives and Emulators

While vintage gear like the Rockman can be hard to find, there are modern alternatives and plugins that can help you achieve a similar sound. Many amp sims and effects plugins offer models of classic gear, including the Rockman. These can be a great way to experiment with Scholz's sound without breaking the bank. Additionally, many guitarists use multi-effects pedals that offer a wide range of sounds, including chorus and delay effects similar to those used by Scholz.

While it might feel like a daunting task to capture Tom Scholz's sound, remember that the journey is as important as the destination. By understanding his gear, technique, and recording process, you can start to bring a bit of that Boston magic to your own playing. And who knows? You might just discover a unique sound of your own along the way.

Final Thoughts

Capturing Tom Scholz's guitar sound is about more than just mimicking gear—it's about understanding the balance of tone and technique. With the right approach, you can infuse your playing with that signature Boston vibe. At Riffhard, we offer lessons from some of the world's top metal guitarists, helping you refine your skills and find your own unique sound. Whether you're diving into metal riffs or exploring classic rock tones, we're here to guide you every step of the way.