GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
my mind is a mountain Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Deftones
Deftones · 2010s+ · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Kiesel Stef Carpenter Camo Edition 8-string
Pickups
Fishman Fluence 8-string (Stef Carpenter Signature, active humbuckers)
Amp
Line 6 Helix (amp modeling, likely Mesa/Boogie Rectifier or similar high-gain model)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2025. Gear confirmed for 'Private Music' album era. No direct evidence of traditional amp head/cab used; digital modeling (Helix) is primary. No evidence of alternate guitar or amp for riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids5
Bass6
Gain8
Reverb1.5
Treble6.5
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Pigtronix Gatekeeper Noise Gate · noise_gate
- Xotic SP Mini Compressor · compression
Kiesel Stef Carpenter 8-string → Pigtronix Gatekeeper Noise Gate → Xotic SP Mini Compressor → Line 6 Helix (amp modeling, digital reverb)
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- crushing low end
- articulate extended range
- modern metal saturation
- aggressive palm muting
- clear note separation
- dense, layered distortion
- focused attack
- slightly scooped mids
- controlled feedback
Notes & Caveats
- No direct source for exact amp model or settings for 'my mind is a mountain' riff; inferred from confirmed use of Line 6 Helix and typical Deftones studio approach in 2025.
- No explicit pedal settings or amp EQ found for this song; settings estimated based on genre, era, and Stef Carpenter's known tone.
- No evidence of traditional amp/cab used; digital modeling (Helix) is primary.
- Pedalboard lists many effects, but no evidence any modulation/time-based effects are used in the riff section; only noise gate and compressor likely always on.
- No evidence of effects loop use; assumed Helix handles all routing internally.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Deftones' 'my mind is a mountain' riff features a saturated, modern metal tone with tight low end, slightly scooped but not hollow mids, and clear but not harsh highs—typical of Stephen Carpenter's 7/8-string, high-gain Mesa/Peavey-style setups. The production is dry and punchy, with minimal reverb and a present, articulate attack.