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i think about you all the time — Deftones1 / 2
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i think about you all the time Guitar Tone Settings — Deftones

Deftones · 2010s+ · metal

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Kiesel Vader 8-string (Stef Carpenter signature, headless, likely Camo Edition)
Pickups
Fishman Fluence Modern 8-string humbuckers
Amp
Fractal Axe-Fx III (amp modeling), Rivera Knucklehead Tre Reverb (possible), Engl Poweramp (possible), Orange 4x12 cab (possible studio blend)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording for 'i think about you all the time' (2025, Private Music album). Stef Carpenter used both his Kiesel Vader 8-string and ESP 7/8-string baritones on the album, but Premier Guitar confirms the Vader 8-string was a first for this LP. Amp tones were likely a blend of Axe-Fx III and real amps/cabs, as per Stef's recent studio workflow. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this specific riff section.

Amp Settings

Mids
5
Bass
6
Gain
8
Reverb
2
Treble
6.5
Presence
6

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Tone Character

  • tight and percussive
  • massive, saturated wall of sound
  • clear note separation
  • articulate attack
  • slightly scooped mids
  • huge stereo image
  • low-tuned, extended range
  • subtle ambience
  • crisp pick definition
  • modern, aggressive rhythm

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct amp knob settings for this song/section found; settings estimated based on modern Deftones studio workflow, genre, and typical amp models used by Stef Carpenter.
  • ⚠️Kiesel Vader 8-string confirmed for album, but possible layering with ESP 7/8-string baritones cannot be fully ruled out.
  • ⚠️Amp likely a blend of Fractal Axe-Fx III and real Rivera/Engl/Orange cabs, as per Stef's recent studio practice.
  • ⚠️No explicit pedalboard or effect chain for this specific song/section; effects inferred from audio and Stef's typical minimal pedal use.
  • ⚠️No evidence of chorus, flanger, phaser, or delay in riff section; only subtle reverb/ambience audible.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Deftones' Stephen Carpenter is known for tight, modern high-gain tones with a focused low end, slightly scooped but not extreme mids, and clear but not harsh highs. The riff section in 'i think about you all the time' is saturated, punchy, and dry, typical of his Mesa/Fractal settings and modern metal conventions.

Sources