GuitarDistortedRiff
Deep Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Standard (Stone Gossard, studio recording, 1991)
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers (stock, likely 490R/498T or similar PAF-style)
Amp
Marshall JCM800 2203 head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (Ten album studio sessions, 1991)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1991. Stone Gossard played the main riff on a Les Paul through a cranked Marshall JCM800. Mike McCready played a Strat on other parts, but the main heavy riff is Gossard. No evidence of live/touring gear or alternate amps for this section.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass5.5
Gain7
Reverb2.5
Treble6.5
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer (or similar mid-boost overdrive) · overdrive
Guitar → Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer → Marshall JCM800 2203 head (with spring reverb) → Marshall 4x12 cab
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.
7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.
Tone Character
- mid-forward drive
- tight and punchy
- grungy and saturated
- classic British crunch
- articulate attack
- hint of reverb for space
- full-bodied low end
- present upper mids
- aggressive pick attack
- slight compression from amp/pedal