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Livin' It Up Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit · 2000s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Ibanez Musician MC150PW (modified, 4-string, tuned C# Standard)
Pickups
Ibanez Super 58 humbuckers (stock on MC150PW, likely bridge position used)
Amp
Diezel VH4S (100-watt head) into Mesa 4x12 and VHT 6x12 cabinets
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2000 (Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water). Wes Borland is known for blending the Diezel VH4S with other amps live, but for the heavy riff tone on the album, the Diezel VH4S is the primary amp cited. No evidence of EVH or Selmer Zodiac on this specific track. Guitar is a heavily modified Ibanez Musician MC150PW, used for most heavy Limp Bizkit riffs of this era.
Amp Settings
Mids5
Bass6
Gain8.5
Reverb1
Treble6.5
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Fulltone OCD · overdrive
Ibanez Musician MC150PW (bridge pickup) → Fulltone OCD → Diezel VH4S → Mesa 4x12/VHT 6x12 cabinets (minimal amp reverb)
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- aggressive high-gain saturation
- articulate low-end punch
- focused midrange attack
- modern nu-metal heaviness
- crisp, defined pick attack
- clear note separation under gain
- minimal ambience
- controlled feedback
- staccato, rhythmic riffing
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings for 'Livin' It Up' found; settings estimated based on Diezel VH4S typical usage in nu-metal context and Wes Borland's known preferences.
- Guitar model confirmed for era and main riff use, but some sources mention other guitars for different songs.
- No explicit pedalboard photo or studio session notes for this specific song; pedal/effects info based on era-typical setup and audible effects.
- No evidence of chorus, flanger, or time-based effects in the riff section; only high-gain amp distortion is clearly present.
- Settings are for studio recording, not live performance.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Wes Borland's tone on 'Livin' It Up' is ultra-saturated, tight, and modern, typical of late 90s/early 2000s nu-metal. He uses high gain with a tight low end, slightly scooped mids, and clear but not harsh highs. The production is very dry, with little to no reverb, matching the genre's conventions and Borland's known amp settings.