Real AmpTuning: E StandardPickup: BridgeMost AccurateHigh GainMetal
Blizzard Midrange Buzzsaw — Exact Distortion+ Rig & Triple Solo
Randy Rhoads recorded the track with his 1974 Gibson Les Paul Custom, an MXR Distortion+, an MXR ten-band EQ and a rented stock Marshall Super Lead driving Altec-loaded cabinets. Guitar World published the original pedal, amplifier and EQ positions, while producer Max Norman added short, detuned stereo delays during mixing. Source: Guitar World’s “Secrets Behind Randy Rhoads’ Guitar Tone on Crazy Train.”
Signal Chain
1974 Gibson Les Paul Custom→MXR Distortion+→MXR Ten Band Graphic EQ→1975–76 Marshall JMP 1959 Super Lead MKII→Marshall 1960A and 1960B 4x12 cabinets with Altec 417-8H speakers→AMS DMX Stereo Detuning→Output
Guitar1974 Gibson Les Paul Custom
Tone
10
PickupBridge
TuningE Standard
Volume
10
PedalMXR Distortion+
Output10
Distortion4
PedalMXR Ten Band Graphic EQ
1 kHz+6
2 kHz+3
4 kHz-2
8 kHz0
125 Hz+3
16 kHz+3
250 Hz+7
500 Hz+10
31.2 Hz-2
62.5 Hz0
Amp1975–76 Marshall JMP 1959 Super Lead MKII
Bass
2
Mids
6
InputChannel I high
Treble
7
Presence
5
Volume I6
Volume II0
Cab / IRMarshall 1960A and 1960B 4x12 cabinets with Altec 417-8H speakers
MicClose studio microphone blend
Mic PositionNear cap-edge transition
EffectAMS DMX Stereo Detuning
Mix
2
Left DelayShort
Left Detune-1
Right DelayShort
Right Detune+1
Notes
Do not scoop the midrange. The 500 Hz boost is deliberately extreme, and the Marshall itself should provide only mild breakup while the Distortion+ supplies most of the grit.
Don't have this gear?
See the same signal chain mapped to another platform. Knob values carry over as starting points — gain ranges differ between platforms.