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Sickman — Alice In Chains1 / 2
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Sickman Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Alice In Chains

Alice In Chains · 1990s · metal

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
G&L Rampage (Jerry Cantrell's main guitar on Dirt album)
Pickups
Seymour Duncan JB humbucker (bridge position, stock on Cantrell's Rampage)
Amp
Bogner-modified Marshall JCM800 (primary amp for Dirt album heavy tones)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 1991-1992. Jerry Cantrell used his G&L Rampage with a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge into a Bogner-modded Marshall JCM800 for the heavy riff sections on 'Sickman'. Some sources mention a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier blended in, but the JCM800 is the main amp for the core rhythm tone. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars/amps for this specific studio recording.

Amp Settings

Mids
6
Bass
6
Gain
8
Reverb
1
Treble
6.5
Presence
5.5

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Tone Character

  • tight, saturated rhythm crunch
  • aggressive, percussive palm muting
  • mid-heavy but not scooped
  • articulate pick attack
  • chunky, metallic low end
  • slightly compressed, focused sustain
  • gritty, snarling upper mids
  • controlled feedback on sustained notes
  • minimal ambience, dry studio sound

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct source lists exact knob settings for 'Sickman' riff; amp and EQ values are estimated based on typical JCM800/Bogner settings for Cantrell's Dirt-era tones and genre/era conventions.
  • ⚠️No evidence of additional pedals or effects (delay, chorus, flanger, etc.) used on the riff section; distortion is amp-based.
  • ⚠️Some sources mention Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier blended for sizzle, but JCM800 is primary for main riff tone.
  • ⚠️Pedal settings and effects inferred from lack of audible modulation/time-based effects in the recording and from rig rundowns for the Dirt album.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Jerry Cantrell's 'Sickman' tone is saturated but not ultra-modern, with chunky, mid-forward aggression typical of early 90s grunge/metal. He used high gain with moderate bass for tightness, strong mids for punch, restrained treble to avoid harshness, neutral presence, and a very dry, in-your-face sound with little to no reverb.

Sources