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Dead Memories Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Slipknot
Slipknot · 2000s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender Jim Root Jazzmaster
Pickups
EMG 81 (bridge), EMG 60 (neck) active humbuckers
Amp
Orange Rockerverb 100 MKII Head
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2008 (Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses era). Jim Root used his signature Jazzmaster with EMG active pickups direct into the Orange Rockerverb 100 MKII, relying on the amp's preamp gain for distortion. No external distortion pedals used for the main riff; overdrive pedal (MXR GT-OD) reserved for leads/solos. Settings estimated based on typical Orange Rockerverb usage in metal and Root's stated approach. No evidence of additional effects or pedals on the main riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids5
Bass6
Gain8.5
Reverb1
Treble7
Presence6.5
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- aggressive high-gain saturation
- articulate pick attack
- scooped but present mids
- chunky, modern metal rhythm
- clear note separation under distortion
- active pickup clarity
- minimal ambience/reverb
- focused low end
- crisp, biting treble
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings for 'Dead Memories' riff found in sources; settings estimated based on Orange Rockerverb usage in metal and Jim Root's stated approach.
- MXR GT-OD overdrive pedal is present on Root's board but stated as used for leads/solos, not for main riff rhythm tone.
- No evidence of modulation, delay, or reverb pedals on the main riff; amp reverb set low for ambience.
- Pedals such as Boss AC-3, Small Stone phaser, and wah are used in other sections or songs, not in the main riff of 'Dead Memories'.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Slipknot's 'Dead Memories' uses a modern, tight high-gain tone typical of Jim Root and Mick Thomson's Mesa/Peavey setups: saturated but clear, with slightly scooped mids, tight bass, and enough treble/presence for articulation. The track is very dry, with little to no reverb, matching the genre's production style.