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Parabola — TOOL1 / 2
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GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence

Parabola Riff Guitar Tone Settings — TOOL

TOOL · 2000s · metal

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Custom (Black, late 1970s)
Pickups
Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB (bridge), Dimarzio PAF (neck)
Amp
Diezel VH4 100W Tube Guitar Head
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 2001 (Lateralus album). Adam Jones is confirmed to have used his black Les Paul Custom and Diezel VH4 for the riff section of 'Parabola'. No evidence of live/touring substitutions for the studio riff tone.

Amp Settings

Mids
6.5
Bass
6
Gain
7.5
Reverb
1.5
Treble
6.5
Presence
6

Effects Chain

  • DOD FX40B Equalizer · eq

Gibson Les Paul Custom → DOD FX40B Equalizer → Diezel VH4 100W Tube Head (amp distortion, light digital reverb)

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Tone Character

  • tight and percussive
  • buzzsaw-like distortion
  • massive and saturated
  • focused low end
  • articulate attack
  • slightly scooped mids
  • crushing heaviness
  • clear note separation
  • aggressive pick attack
  • sustained power chords

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No official amp knob settings for 'Parabola' studio recording found; settings estimated based on Diezel VH4 typical usage for modern metal and Adam Jones' known preferences.
  • ⚠️Pedal/effects information is based on confirmed gear and what is clearly audible in the riff section; no evidence of time-based or modulation effects in the main riff.
  • ⚠️No evidence of fuzz pedal used on the main riff; distortion is primarily from amp gain.
  • ⚠️EQ pedal (DOD FX40B) is confirmed in Adam's rig but not specifically documented as used on the 'Parabola' studio riff; included with lower confidence.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Adam Jones is known for a tight, mid-forward, articulate high-gain tone using Diezel and Marshall amps, with moderate bass for clarity, strong mids for punch, and restrained treble/presence to avoid harshness. The tone on 'Parabola' is dry, aggressive, and focused, with minimal reverb and a modern hard rock/metal gain structure.

Sources