These are the hallmark of the song. The tabs will show long, linear runs across the neck.
Have you attempted the Andy James “85” guitar tab? Which section broke your picking hand? Share your practice horror stories in the comments below. And for more advanced metal tab reviews, subscribe to our newsletter for weekly shred breakdowns. Andy James 85 Guitar Tab
After the intro, the tab reveals the core riff: a descending pattern that skips from the G string to the high E string, then back to the B string. This is at an advanced level. The tab indicates that the pick attacks the G string (downstroke), then vaults over the B string to hit the E string (upstroke), creating a wide, angular sound. Many transcription errors exist online, but the correct tab shows a strict economy of motion—the left hand barely moves, while the right hand does all the heavy lifting. These are the hallmark of the song
that break down the song's intense tapping and alternate picking sections. Song Highlights & Techniques Which section broke your picking hand
To truly play “85,” you must internalize James’ philosophy: Speed is a servant to melody, not a master. The tab is a map, but the terrain is musicality.
: To achieve the tone in this track, James typically uses his BC Rich signature Assassin model with EMG active pickups from the song or help finding a Guitar Pro file viewer? Andy James - '85 (Playthrough) Oct 15, 2018 Urban Yeti Records
If you have a PDF or Guitar Pro file of the “85” tab open, here is how to dissect it.