GuitarDistortedRiff72% confidence
Elite Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Deftones
Deftones · 2000s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
ESP Stef Carpenter Signature 7-string (likely custom M-II or SC-607B, 7-string, baritone scale)
Pickups
EMG 81-7 (bridge, active humbucker)
Amp
Marshall JCM800 (likely 2203 or 2210 head, 1980s/1990s, with Mesa/Boogie 4x12 cab, V30 speakers)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording for 'Elite' on Deftones' 'White Pony' (2000). Stef Carpenter is confirmed to use ESP 7-string guitars with EMG pickups and Marshall amps for this album. No evidence of live/touring substitutions for this specific recording. Effects primarily from rack units (TC Electronic FireworX, Rocktron Replifex) but not all effects used on this track.
Amp Settings
Mids4.5
Bass6
Gain9
Reverb0
Treble6.5
Presence6.5
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Tone Character
- brutal and aggressive
- tight and percussive
- scooped mids
- articulate despite high gain
- punchy attack
- dry, little ambience
- saturated distortion
- extended low end
- modern metal clarity
- minimal reverb
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings for 'Elite' found; settings estimated based on Marshall JCM800 typical metal usage and genre/era.
- No explicit pedal model for distortion; evidence points to amp distortion with possible rack effects for other songs, but not for 'Elite' riff.
- No evidence of time-based or modulation effects on the riff; tone is dry and direct.
- Pickup and amp model inferred from multiple interviews and gear rundowns for 'White Pony' era.
- If more precise studio notes become available, settings should be updated.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Deftones' 'Elite' features a massively saturated, modern metal tone with tight low end, slightly scooped but not hollow mids, and aggressive clarity. Stef Carpenter used high-gain amps (often Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier) with minimal reverb and boosted presence for articulation, matching the nu-metal production style of the era.