GuitarDistortedRiff68% confidence
Blackest Eyes Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Porcupine Tree
Porcupine Tree · 2000s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Paul Reed Smith Custom 24 (likely 2001-2002 model, Drop D tuning)
Pickups
PRS HFS (bridge) and Vintage Bass (neck) humbuckers
Amp
Bad Cat Hot Cat 100
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording for 'In Absentia' (2002). Main riff tracked with PRS Custom 24 into Bad Cat Hot Cat 100, Drop D tuning. No explicit pedal or effect evidence for the riff section; focus is on amp gain. No evidence of live/touring substitutions.
Amp Settings
Mids6
Bass6
Gain7.5
Reverb1.5
Treble7
Presence6.5
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- aggressive and saturated
- clear note definition
- chunky palm-muted chugs
- modern progressive metal rhythm
- articulate attack
- low-end punch
- focused midrange
- minimal ambience
- studio clarity
Notes & Caveats
- No explicit numeric amp settings found in sources; settings estimated based on typical Bad Cat Hot Cat 100 usage for modern prog metal and genre/era conventions.
- No direct evidence of pedals or effects used on the riff section; no delay, chorus, or modulation audible in the studio recording.
- Guitar model and amp confirmed by forum and era, but pickup selector position inferred from typical usage for heavy riffing.
- If new evidence emerges of pedal use or alternate amp settings, update accordingly.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Steven Wilson used a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier for 'Blackest Eyes,' dialing in a tight, modern high-gain sound with moderate mids (not scooped), slightly boosted treble and presence for articulation, and minimal reverb for a dry, punchy riff tone typical of early 2000s progressive metal/rock.