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Resistance Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Muse
Muse · 2000s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Manson MB-1
Pickups
Manson custom humbuckers
Amp
Diezel VH4 (studio), blended with Marshall Plexi Reissue and Vox AC30
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording for 'The Resistance' album (2009). Matt Bellamy is known to blend multiple amps in the studio, especially during this era. The main riff tone is achieved with the Manson MB-1 and a combination of Diezel VH4, Marshall Plexi Reissue, and Vox AC30. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this specific riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6
Gain7
Reverb1.5
Treble7
Presence6.5
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Tone Character
- crunchy and mid-forward
- tight and articulate
- slightly compressed attack
- clear note separation
- British amp character
- fat but not fuzzy
- rhythmic and percussive
- moderate sustain
- focused low end
- present upper mids
Notes & Caveats
- No official amp knob settings found for 'Resistance' riff; values estimated based on typical Diezel VH4/Marshall Plexi settings for Muse in this era.
- No explicit pedalboard or effect chain for this specific recording found; effects inferred from audio and era-typical Muse rig.
- Multiple amps are blended in studio; settings reflect a weighted average for a crunchy, mid-forward rock tone.
- No direct evidence of modulation or time-based effects on the riff section; only light amp reverb is included.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Matt Bellamy's 'Resistance' riff uses a saturated, tight, modern high-gain tone typical of his Diezel VH4 and Marshall setups, with mids pushed for cut, moderate bass for clarity, and a touch of presence for articulation. The track is very dry with almost no reverb, matching Muse's 2009 production style.