GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Rocket Skates Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Deftones
Deftones · 2010s+ · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
ESP Stef B-8 (Stephen Carpenter Signature 8-string, likely custom shop or LTD SC-608B for studio)
Pickups
EMG 808 active humbuckers
Amp
Marshall JMP-1 preamp into Marshall EL34 100/100 power amp, Marshall 4x12 cabinets with Celestion speakers
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording for 'Diamond Eyes' (2010); Carpenter played all riff parts on his 8-string ESP with EMG 808s through his Marshall JMP-1/EL34 rig. No evidence of live/tour gear or alternate amps for this song's riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids4.5
Bass5.5
Gain9
Reverb1
Treble6.5
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Distortion from amp (Marshall JMP-1 preamp gain) · distortion
ESP Stef B-8 (EMG 808) → Marshall JMP-1 preamp → Marshall EL34 power amp → Marshall 4x12 cabinets
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- saturated high-gain
- articulate low-end chugs
- modern metal clarity
- slightly scooped mids
- aggressive palm muting
- clear note separation
- minimal ambience
- focused midrange punch
- extended low range
Notes & Caveats
- No official studio knob settings found; amp EQ estimated based on Marshall JMP-1/EL34 usage for modern metal and Carpenter's known approach (see Guitar World, MusicRadar).
- Pedal usage for riff section not confirmed; distortion is primarily from amp and EMG 808s.
- No evidence of time-based or modulation effects on riff section; reverb is minimal and likely from amp or post-production.
- Settings are estimated based on genre, era, and typical Deftones/Carpenter rig for 'Diamond Eyes' (2010).
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Deftones' 'Rocket Skates' features a saturated, modern metal tone with tight low end, slightly scooped mids, and aggressive attack. Stephen Carpenter typically uses high-gain amps (like the Peavey 5150/6505 or Diezel VH4), with mids dialed back, bass kept tight, and little to no reverb for a dry, punchy sound.