What guitar did Matthias Jabs use on Still Loving You?

Matthias Jabs used a Gibson Explorer for the lead guitar parts on "Still Loving You". The Explorer's mahogany construction and humbucker pickups contributed to the song's thick, sustained tone.

How to get Scorpions Still Loving You guitar tone?

Start with a Gibson Explorer or similar humbucker-equipped guitar into a Marshall JCM800. Add an Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer for extra gain and sustain, and use an MXR Phase 90 sparingly for the subtle modulation on sustained notes.

What amp did Scorpions use on Love at First Sting album?

Matthias Jabs primarily used Marshall JCM800 amplifiers during the recording of the Love at First Sting album. These amps were known for their hot-rodded Marshall tone with more gain than earlier models.

Did Scorpions use Tube Screamer on Still Loving You?

Yes, Matthias Jabs used an Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808 to push the Marshall JCM800 amp harder and add sustain to the lead guitar parts. This was a common technique in 1980s hard rock to achieve singing lead tones.

What studio was Still Loving You recorded at?

"Still Loving You" was recorded at Dierks Studios in Cologne, Germany, with producer Dieter Dierks. The studio was known for its work with many German rock and metal bands during the 1970s and 1980s.

lead guitar from "still loving you" by scorpions

still loving you

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lead guitar

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Tone Profile

A searing, sustained, and harmonically rich hard rock guitar tone. It emphasizes clarity and definition while maintaining a powerful, slightly overdriven sound.

Shop This Rig

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Gibson Explorer(instrument)
Marshall JCM800(amp)
Shure SM57(microphone)
Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808(processing)
MXR Phase 90(processing)

The Story

Matthias Jabs used a Gibson Explorer through a Marshall JCM800 for the lead guitar on "Still Loving You", recorded at Dierks Studios in Cologne with producer Dieter Dierks. The signal chain included an Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808 to push the Marshall's gain and add sustain, plus an MXR Phase 90 for subtle modulation on the sustained notes. The guitar was close-miked with a Shure SM57 and double-tracked to create the wide, thick sound characteristic of this power ballad.

Production Credits

Producer: Dieter Dierks

Engineer: Erwin Musper

Recorded at: Dierks Studios, Cologne

Signal Chain

Instrument: Gibson ExplorerShop on Reverb

Amp: Marshall JCM800Shop on Reverb

Microphone: Shure SM57Shop on Reverb

Processing: Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808Shop on Reverb, MXR Phase 90Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a Gibson Explorer style guitar into a slightly hot Marshall JCM800 amp.
Use an Ibanez Tube Screamer to push the amp's gain even harder.
Experiment with the MXR Phase 90 to taste, keeping the effect subtle.
Careful EQ is crucial, focusing on a tight low end and present midrange.
Double-track the guitar parts for added thickness and width.

Original Gear

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Gibson ExplorerShop on Reverb(guitar)
Marshall JCM800Shop on Reverb(amp)
Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808Shop on Reverb(pedal)
MXR Phase 90Shop on Reverb(pedal)
Shure SM57Shop on Reverb(mic)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Epiphone ExplorerShop on Reverb$400-$500

Alternative to: Gibson Explorer

Mahogany body and neck with humbuckers delivers the same thick, sustained tone as the original Gibson at a fraction of the cost

Marshall Studio Classic SC20HShop on Reverb$800-$900

Alternative to: Marshall JCM800

Modern reissue of the JCM800 circuit with power scaling, giving you that classic Marshall crunch at bedroom volumes

Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer ReissueShop on Reverb$180-$200

Alternative to: Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808

Exact reissue of the original TS808 used on the recording, providing the same midrange boost and compression

MXR Phase 90Shop on Reverb$80-$100

Alternative to: MXR Phase 90

The original is still in production and unchanged, providing the same subtle phase sweep heard on the track

Neural DSP Fortin Nameless SuitePlugin Boutique$140-$160