GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Pure Massacre (Remastered) Guitar Tone Settings — Silverchair
Silverchair · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Standard (early 90s, likely Ebony finish)
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers (stock, passive, likely 490R/498T set)
Amp
Marshall JCM900 4100 Dual Reverb Head with Marshall 1960A 4x12 Cabinet
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording for 'Frogstomp (Remastered)' in 1995. Gear confirmed for album era, not live. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for this riff section. No pedalboard photos from the session, but JCM900 is confirmed by multiple sources as Daniel Johns' main amp for this album.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6
Gain7.5
Reverb1.5
Treble6.5
Presence6
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Tone Character
- tight, saturated rhythm crunch
- aggressive, percussive attack
- full-bodied low end
- articulate power chord definition
- slightly scooped mids but not hollow
- punchy, modern alternative rock distortion
- minimal ambient effects
- focused, dry rhythm sound
- no audible modulation or delay
- classic 90s post-grunge riff tone
Notes & Caveats
- No direct studio pedalboard photo or amp knob settings for 'Pure Massacre (Remastered)' found; amp and guitar inferred from multiple era-confirmed sources.
- No evidence of any effects pedals used on the riff section; distortion is from the JCM900 amp.
- Settings are estimated based on typical JCM900 usage for 90s alternative rock and Silverchair's genre/era.
- No evidence of modulation, delay, or reverb pedals; amp reverb set low for slight ambience.
- Pickup choice inferred from typical Les Paul bridge pickup use for heavy rhythm sections.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Silverchair's 'Pure Massacre' riff tone is thick, saturated, and mid-forward, typical of early 90s grunge/alt-rock. Daniel Johns used a Marshall JCM900 with high gain, balanced EQ (slightly boosted mids for punch), moderate presence for clarity, and minimal reverb, matching the dry, aggressive production style of the era.