Animals — Nickelback1 / 2
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GuitarDistortedRiff

Animals Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Nickelback

Nickelback · 2000s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Gibson Explorer Electric Guitar
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers (likely 496R/500T or similar, stock for Explorer in 2000s)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier 100W 3-channel Solo Head
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 2005 (All the Right Reasons album). Gear confirmed for heavy/distorted sections by Premier Guitar Rig Rundown and Equipboard. Focus is on the riff section, not clean passages.

Amp Settings

Mids
5.5
Bass
6
Gain
7.5
Reverb
1.5
Treble
6.5
Presence
6

Effects Chain

  • MXR Smart Gate · noise_gate
  • TWA SC-01 Source Code Overdrive · overdrive

Gibson Explorer → TWA SC-01 Source Code Overdrive → MXR Smart Gate → Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (low reverb)

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Tone Character

  • tight and percussive
  • saturated high-gain rhythm
  • chunky power chords
  • articulate low end
  • focused midrange punch
  • aggressive bridge pickup bite
  • clear note separation under gain
  • minimal ambience
  • controlled feedback
  • modern rock clarity

Sources