GuitarDistortedSolo80% confidence
Fell On Black Days Solo Guitar Tone Settings — Soundgarden
Soundgarden · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Guild S-100 Polara
Pickups
Guild HB-1 humbuckers
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier Solo Head blended with Marshall JMP 50 half stack
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1993-1994 for the album 'Superunknown'. Kim Thayil used the Guild S-100 with stock humbuckers. The amps were blended for the album, with the Marshall providing brightness and the Mesa/Boogie adding body and low end. No evidence of pedal use for the solo, only amp gain. No explicit mention of effects loop or pedalboard for this section.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6.5
Gain6
Reverb2.5
Treble6
Presence4.5
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Tone Character
- thick and warm
- midrange-focused
- organic and full-bodied
- singing sustain
- articulate note separation
- dynamic and expressive
- touch-sensitive
- slightly compressed
- not overly saturated
- British crunch with modern body
Notes & Caveats
- No explicit pedal or effect use is documented for the solo section in 'Fell On Black Days'; settings are estimated based on era, genre, and typical amp use for Kim Thayil in the Superunknown sessions.
- Amp settings are inferred from similar Soundgarden tones on 'Superunknown' and typical Marshall/Mesa blending for 1990s grunge/rock.
- No evidence of chorus, delay, or modulation effects in the solo; solo is dry except for light amp reverb.
- Pickup position is inferred from typical solo tone and known Guild S-100 usage.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Kim Thayil's solo tone on 'Fell On Black Days' is a thick, mid-forward, classic rock crunch with moderate gain, strong mids, and slightly rounded highs, typical of his Marshall-based setup from the Superunknown era. The reverb is subtle, and the presence is neutral to let the mids cut without harshness.