Barracuda

The recording

Roger Fisher recorded the lead guitar on "Barracuda" using a Gibson SG Standard with the bridge pickup, playing a tight low‑E gallop rhythm. The signal ran through an A/DA Flanger manually swept for the slow jet‑engine sweep, then into a Marshall JMP 100‑watt Super Lead head and a 4×12 Marshall 1960 cabinet, captured with a Shure SM57 at Mushroom Studios in Vancouver. The amp was pushed into natural tube overdrive, giving the aggressive mid‑range punch that defines the riff.

Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)

Reported gear

1970s Gibson SG Standard

Guitar

Roger Fisher played a Gibson SG Standard, using the bridge pickup for the bright, cutting tone that drives the iconic riff.

1975 A/DA Flanger

Flanger

The A/DA Flanger, manually swept, creates the signature 'jet' sweep heard on the intro and throughout the track.

1975 Marshall JMP 100W Super Lead

Amp

A Marshall JMP 100‑watt Super Lead head provides the raw tube overdrive and mid‑range punch that sits behind the SG’s aggressive tone.

1970s Marshall 1960 4x12 Cabinet

Cabinet

A 4×12 Marshall 1960 cabinet captures the tight, focused low end and bright mids that shape the guitar’s presence in the mix.

Alternatives

Epiphone SG Standard

Budget alternative · for the 1970s Gibson SG Standard

$300 to $400

Marshall JMP Reissue

Reissue · for the 1975 Marshall JMP 100W Super Lead

$900 to $1,200

Boss BF-2 Flanger

Modern equivalent · for the 1975 A/DA Flanger

$150 to $200

Marshall 1960 4x12 Cabinet Reissue

Reissue · for the 1970s Marshall 1960 4x12 Cabinet

$600 to $800

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1. 1.Play the riff using a tight, muted low‑E gallop with the bridge pickup.
2. 2.Set the A/DA flanger’s manual sweep to a slow rate for the jet‑engine effect.
3. 3.Attack the strings hard with a thick pick for maximum attack.
4. 4.Push the Marshall JMP into natural tube overdrive by cranking the master volume.