GuitarDistortedRiff
Paranoid Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath · 1970s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1965 Gibson SG Special (aka 'Monkey' SG, heavily modified)
Pickups
P-90 single-coil pickups
Amp
Laney Supergroup MK1 LA100BL (100-watt head) into Laney 4x12 cabinet (likely with Goodmans Audiom 12P speakers)
Pickup Position
Neck pickup (three-way toggle in up position for chording/riff)
Studio recording, 1970. Used for the main riff/rhythm section of 'Paranoid'. No evidence of live/tour gear or alternate amps for the riff. Treble booster (Dallas Rangemaster, modded) used for input boost. No evidence of additional pedals or effects on the riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids8.5
Bass3
Gain8
Reverb0
Treble8.5
Presence8
Effects Chain
- Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster (modded) · boost
Guitar → Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster → Laney Supergroup MK1 LA100BL → Laney 4x12 cabinet
Tone Matcher
Match This Tone to Your Gear
Tell us your guitar and amp — we’ll calculate the exact settings translated to your specific rig.
7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.
Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- raw British crunch
- aggressive upper mids
- dry, immediate attack
- bright and biting
- minimal low end
- focused, cutting rhythm tone
- classic early metal sound
- no ambience or reverb
- slightly fuzzy edge from treble booster