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Gonna Leave You Guitar Tone Settings — Queens of the Stone Age

Queens of the Stone Age · 2000s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar

Gretsch G6143 Spectra Sonic

Pickups

TV Jones Power'Tron humbuckers

Amp

Peavey Series 260 Standard PA

Pickup Position

Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 2002, Songs for the Deaf album. Gear confirmed for era and likely used on riff sections. No direct studio photo for this song, but Gretsch Spectra Sonic and Peavey PA are widely cited as Josh Homme's main rig for this album's rhythm/riff parts.

Amp Settings

Mids

7.5

Bass

6.5

Gain

6.5

Reverb

1.5

Treble

Presence

5.5

Effects Chain

Stone Deaf FX PDF-1 Parametric Distortion Filter · distortion
Boss GE-7 Graphic Equalizer · eq

Gretsch G6143 Spectra Sonic → Stone Deaf FX PDF-1 → Boss GE-7 → Peavey Series 260 Standard PA (with light spring reverb)

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Tone Character

thick and mid-heavy
tight and percussive
slightly fuzzy edge
clear note separation
minimal ambience
focused and dry
direct and punchy
bridge pickup bite
controlled low end
distinctive 'desert rock' midrange

Notes & Caveats

⚠️No direct studio photo or interview confirming the exact amp and pedal settings for 'Gonna Leave You' riff, but Gretsch Spectra Sonic and Peavey PA are confirmed as main rig for Songs for the Deaf rhythm sections.
⚠️Settings are estimated based on typical Josh Homme rig for this era and genre, and tone analysis of the recording.
⚠️No evidence of modulation, delay, or reverb effects in the riff section; tone is very dry and direct.
⚠️Pedal usage is inferred from era-correct boards but not specifically confirmed for this track's riff section.
⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Josh Homme's tone on 'Gonna Leave You' is crunchy but not overly saturated, with pronounced mids and a slightly rolled-off top end typical of his Matamp/Orange setup. The sound is dry and punchy with minimal reverb, emphasizing clarity and midrange bite characteristic of early 2000s QOTSA recordings.