GuitarDistortedSolo80% confidence
Raining Blood Solo Guitar Tone Settings — Slayer
Slayer · 1980s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
B.C. Rich NJ Series (likely Warlock or Bich, c.1986)
Pickups
DiMarzio Super Distortion (bridge humbucker)
Amp
Marshall JCM800 2203
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1986. Gear confirmed for 'Reign in Blood' era. Both Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman used B.C. Rich guitars with DiMarzio Super Distortion pickups into Marshall JCM800 2203 heads. No evidence of additional rack or studio effects for the solo section; pedal use was minimal.
Amp Settings
Mids4
Bass5.5
Gain8.5
Reverb0
Treble7.5
Presence7
Effects Chain
- Distortion from Marshall JCM800 (amp gain only) · distortion
Guitar (B.C. Rich with DiMarzio Super Distortion bridge pickup) → Marshall JCM800 2203 head → Marshall 4x12 cabinet
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Tone Character
- razor-sharp articulation
- tight and percussive
- scooped mids
- high-gain saturation
- piercing treble
- dry, in-your-face sound
- aggressive palm muting
- searing sustain
- metallic attack
- minimal ambience
Notes & Caveats
- No direct source provides exact knob settings for the 'Raining Blood' solo; amp settings are estimated based on Marshall JCM800 usage in 1986 thrash metal context.
- No evidence of pedals or effects used in the studio for the solo; all effects inferred from audio and period-correct rig rundowns.
- Pickup model confirmed as DiMarzio Super Distortion from Equipboard and interviews, but exact guitar model (Warlock vs. Bich) is not 100% certain for this specific solo.
- No reverb or delay is audible in the solo section; the tone is extremely dry and direct.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Slayer's 'Raining Blood' solo tone is classic mid-80s thrash: extreme gain (JCM800s with boosts), tight bass, heavily scooped mids, biting treble, and high presence for cut. The recording is bone dry with no reverb, matching the aggressive, in-your-face production style of the era.