TonesMatch
Stillborn (feat. Ozzy Osbourne) — Black Label Society1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence

Stillborn (feat. Ozzy Osbourne) Guitar Tone Settings

Black Label Society · 2000s · metal

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Custom (Zakk Wylde signature, Bullseye finish)
Pickups
EMG 81 (bridge) / EMG 85 (neck) active humbuckers
Amp
Marshall JCM800 2203 (often Wylde Audio Master 100, JCM800-based) into Marshall 4x12 cabinet
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 2003. Zakk Wylde is known for using his signature Les Paul Custom with EMG active pickups and a Marshall JCM800 (or Wylde Audio Master 100, which is JCM800-based) for Black Label Society's 'Stillborn' riff. Pedal use is minimal for the riff; main gain comes from amp and boost pedal. Settings inferred from typical Zakk Wylde studio rig for this era.

Amp Settings

Mids
5
Bass
6
Gain
8.5
Reverb
0
Treble
7
Presence
6.5

Effects Chain

  • Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive · overdrive

Gibson Les Paul Custom (EMG 81 bridge) → Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive → Marshall JCM800 2203 (no reverb) → Marshall 4x12 cabinet

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Tone Character

  • tight and percussive
  • aggressive pick attack
  • saturated high-gain rhythm
  • pronounced pinch harmonics
  • chunky low end
  • articulate note separation
  • compressed and focused
  • modern metal clarity
  • minimal ambience
  • percussive riffing

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct numeric amp settings for 'Stillborn' found; settings estimated based on Zakk Wylde's typical JCM800/EMG setup for early 2000s BLS recordings.
  • ⚠️Pedal use for the riff is inferred from multiple sources stating Boss SD-1 into Marshall JCM800 is Zakk's main rhythm chain; no evidence of time-based or modulation effects in the riff section.
  • ⚠️No evidence of amp or pedal reverb/chorus/flanger/delay in the riff; tone is dry and direct.
  • ⚠️Pickup selector inferred as bridge based on tone and Wylde's known usage for heavy rhythm parts.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Zakk Wylde's 'Stillborn' tone is modern, saturated, and tight, using high gain (likely a boosted JCM800 or Rectifier), with mids slightly scooped for aggression, tight bass to avoid muddiness, and pronounced treble/presence for cut. The track is bone-dry with no audible reverb, matching early 2000s metal production.

Sources