GuitarDistortedRiff
Head Down Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Soundgarden
Soundgarden · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Guild S-100
Pickups
Guild HB-1 humbuckers (microphonic, vintage spec)
Amp
Peavey VTM 120 (likely), possibly Mesa/Boogie or Music Man (see warnings)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1993 (Superunknown sessions). Kim Thayil used his Guild S-100 with bridge pickup for the riff. Peavey VTM 120 was his main amp for Superunknown, but he also used Mesa/Boogie and Music Man amps on occasion. Chorus pedal was used in the studio for the riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain6
Reverb2
Treble6.5
Presence5.5
Effects Chain
- Chorus pedal (model unknown) · chorus
Guild S-100 (bridge pickup) → Chorus pedal → Peavey VTM 120 (with light spring reverb)
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Tone Character
- bright and articulate
- ambient, sitar-like resonance
- percussive attack
- psychedelic, trippy modulation
- medium gain crunch
- open, ringing chords
- distinct sustain
- slightly jangly
- not overly compressed
- droning, hypnotic riff texture