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Sabbath Bloody Sabbath Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath · 1970s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1964 Gibson SG Special 'Monkey'
Pickups
P-90 single coil
Amp
Laney LA100BL (100-watt, EL34-powered, early model, cranked)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1973; Sabbath Bloody Sabbath album sessions. Guitar is Tony Iommi's heavily modified 'Monkey' SG with P-90s. Amp is Laney LA100BL, cranked for natural distortion. Treble booster (modified Dallas Rangemaster) used as main gain/boost. No evidence of additional pedals or time-based effects for the riff section. Settings estimated based on era, amp, and genre as no direct numeric settings for this song/album found.
Amp Settings
Mids7.5
Bass6
Gain8.5
Reverb0
Treble6.5
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Modified Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster · boost
Guitar → Modified Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster → Laney LA100BL (cranked, no reverb)
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Tone Character
- thick and saturated
- mid-forward crunch
- aggressive and percussive
- warm with biting upper mids
- distinct P-90 growl
- tight low end
- articulate pick attack
- classic British amp distortion
- raw and organic
- no audible modulation or delay
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings for Sabbath Bloody Sabbath found in sources; settings estimated based on Laney LA100BL typical use in early Sabbath era and genre conventions.
- No evidence of additional pedals (fuzz, delay, modulation) used on the riff section; only treble booster confirmed.
- Presence and reverb settings inferred from amp type and typical studio practices of the era.
- Pickup choice inferred from period photos, interviews, and tone analysis; some debate exists but bridge pickup is most likely for main riff.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Tony Iommi's tone on 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath' is classic early 70s British hard rock: thick, mid-forward, and crunchy but not modern high-gain. He used Laney amps with high mids and moderate bass, little to no reverb, and enough gain for heavy riffing without losing note clarity.