Tone library / Ozzy Osborne / Flying high again

Flying high again amp settings — Boss ME-80

The Ozzy Osborne guitar tone for “Flying high again”, dialed in for a Boss ME-80 with a Jackson Super Strat. Studio cut, Diary of a Madman (1981)

Original rig

Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100W, MXR Distortion +, MXR 10-band EQ, Jackson Concorde / Gibson Les Paul Custom, Altec 417-8H speakers

Aggressive, mid-forward British hard rock crunch with scooped low-end and a raspy, bright top edge
Amp settings — Boss ME-80
CHANNELPREAMP section: 'MS STACK' (Marshall Plexi model)BOOSToff
GAIN 6 BASS 4 MID 8 TREBLE 7 REVERB 2 MASTER 5
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain6
Bass4
Mid8
Treble7
Reverb2
Master5
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01OD/DS Section: 'CLASSIC' (MXR Distortion+ model)

Engaged as primary drive into MS STACK to capture the iconic Distortion+ grit

Drive 7 · Tone 6 · Level 7

02EQ Section

Replicates Randy's MXR 10-band mid-boost and tight low-end shelf

Bass 4 · Middle 8 · Treble 7 · Level 5
Why these settings

The ME-80's MS STACK models the Marshall 1959, while the CLASSIC drive block recreates Rhoads' signature MXR Distortion +. Randy used clean Altec speakers and parked an EQ/wah to shelf off sub-bass rumble, so keep the bass dialed down to 4 and push the mids hard to 8. Because your Jackson humbucker has high output, setting the amp gain at 6 and drive at 7 delivers authentic saturation without blurring note articulation.

PRO TIPPick aggressively near the bridge saddles using heavy pick attack—Randy achieved his distinct chirpy bite and squealing pinch harmonics through rapid, sharp alternate picking right above the bridge pickup.

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These settings are for a Boss ME-80. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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