Suicide Messiah — Black Label Society1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedSolo

Suicide Messiah Solo Guitar Tone Settings — Black Label Society

Black Label Society · 2000s · metal

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Custom (likely 'The Rebel' or Bullseye) with EMG 81/85 pickups
Pickups
EMG 81 (bridge), EMG 85 (neck) active humbuckers
Amp
Marshall JCM800 2203ZW (Zakk Wylde signature, based on JCM800 circuit) into Marshall 4x12 cabinet
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 2004-2005 (Mafia album sessions). Zakk Wylde is known to use his signature JCM800 head and EMG-loaded Les Pauls for solos. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for this solo. Settings estimated based on typical Zakk Wylde/Marshall JCM800 metal tones and era.

Amp Settings

Mids
5.5
Bass
6
Gain
8.5
Reverb
1
Treble
7
Presence
7

Effects Chain

  • MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay · delay
  • Boss CE-5 Chorus Ensemble · chorus

Gibson Les Paul Custom (EMG 81 bridge) → MXR Carbon Copy Delay → Boss CE-5 Chorus → Marshall JCM800 2203ZW → Marshall 4x12 cab

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Tone Character

  • tight and saturated high-gain
  • singing sustain
  • aggressive pick attack
  • thick, compressed solo sound
  • pronounced pinch harmonics
  • slight mid scoop for clarity
  • articulate note separation
  • audible chorus shimmer
  • delay repeats on lead lines
  • metallic, modern 2000s production

Sources