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Animals — Nickelback1 / 2
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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

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct numeric amp knob settings for 'Animals' studio recording found; settings estimated based on typical Mesa Dual Rectifier usage for modern rock/metal and era.
  • ⚠️Pedalboard lists are from live/touring rigs; studio chain may be simpler.
  • ⚠️No evidence of time-based or modulation effects (delay, chorus, flanger, etc.) in the riff section; tone is dry and focused.
  • ⚠️Pickup model inferred from typical Gibson Explorer specs for 2000s; exact pickup model for the recording not explicitly confirmed.
  • ⚠️Amp reverb is set low or off; any ambience is likely from studio mixing, not the amp or pedals.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Nickelback's 'Animals' riff features a tight, modern high-gain sound with controlled low end, slightly forward mids, and crisp treble—typical of Mesa/Boogie Rectifier amps used by the band in this era. The tone is dry and punchy with minimal reverb, matching post-grunge/hard rock production trends of the mid-2000s.

Sources