GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Christian Woman Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Type O Negative
Type O Negative · 1990s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson SG Standard (early 90s, likely tuned to B Standard)
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers (stock, passive, likely 490R/498T or similar)
Amp
Fender Quad Reverb (used in studio rack system, early 90s)
Pickup Position
Neck pickup (explicitly recommended for this tone in B Standard)
Studio recording, 1993, Bloody Kisses album. Kenny Hickey describes using a large rack system with an early A/DA preamp and a Fender Quad Reverb for the album. Guitar is a Gibson SG, tuned to B Standard for the heavy riff sections.
Amp Settings
Mids6
Bass6.5
Gain8
Reverb3
Treble6
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Chorus pedal (model unknown) · chorus
Gibson SG → Chorus pedal → A/DA rack preamp → Fender Quad Reverb (spring reverb on)
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Tone Character
- huge and saturated
- thick low end
- wide stereo chorus
- ambient and dreamy
- high-gain saturation
- tight palm-muted chugs
- sustained power chords
- slightly rolled-off treble
- lush reverb tail
- dark, gothic atmosphere
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings for the studio recording found; settings estimated based on genre, era, and typical Quad Reverb/rack metal setups.
- Pedal models not confirmed for the studio recording; chorus and reverb are clearly audible and widely cited as essential to the tone.
- Pickup choice (neck) is recommended in forum sources for this song and tuning, but not directly confirmed by artist for this specific recording.
- No evidence of a Tube Screamer or boost pedal in the studio chain, but heavy boost is suggested in forums; not included in pedals due to lack of direct evidence.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Kenny Hickey's tone on 'Christian Woman' is thick, saturated, and dark with a tight low end, slightly scooped mids, and little to no reverb, typical of early 90s gothic/doom metal. His use of high-gain amps (often Peavey or Marshall), EMG pickups, and the genre's conventions support these settings.