TonesMatch
Cupid's Dead — EXTREME1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence

Cupid's Dead Riff Guitar Tone Settings — EXTREME

EXTREME · 1990s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Washburn N4 (early 1990s, alder body, Bill Lawrence L500 bridge pickup, Seymour Duncan 59 neck pickup)
Pickups
Bill Lawrence L500 (bridge), Seymour Duncan 59 (neck)
Amp
Randall RG100ES solid-state head
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 1992. Nuno Bettencourt is known to have used the Washburn N4 and Randall RG100ES for the 'III Sides to Every Story' album, which includes 'Cupid's Dead'. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the riff section. Settings are estimated based on Nuno's typical setup and genre/era.

Amp Settings

Mids
7
Bass
6
Gain
7
Reverb
2
Treble
7
Presence
6

Tone Matcher

Match This Tone to Your Gear

Tell us your guitar and amp — we’ll calculate the exact settings translated to your specific rig.

Adapt to MY Gear →

7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.

Tone Character

  • tight and percussive
  • articulate and dynamic
  • clear note separation
  • punchy midrange
  • slightly compressed attack
  • minimal reverb
  • dry, amp-driven crunch
  • bridge humbucker clarity
  • responsive to palm muting
  • aggressive but controlled

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct studio amp or pedalboard photo for 'Cupid's Dead' riff section; gear and settings are inferred from Nuno's known 1992 studio rig and genre conventions.
  • ⚠️Amp settings are based on Guitar World lesson for Nuno's typical tone, not confirmed for this exact song/section.
  • ⚠️No evidence of pedals or effects used in the riff section; dry, amp-only tone is supported by audio and lack of effect mention.
  • ⚠️Pickup choice (bridge) is inferred from tone and Nuno's known usage for rhythm/funk riffs.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Nuno Bettencourt's tone on 'Cupid's Dead' is a tight, articulate high-gain sound with punchy mids and clear highs, typical of his Soldano SLO-100 setup in the early '90s. The riff is dry and aggressive, with minimal reverb, forward mids, and a balanced EQ to cut through the mix without harshness.

Sources