GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Supermassive Black Hole Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Muse
Muse · 2000s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Manson MB-1 (custom, with Fuzz Factory circuit, bridge humbucker)
Pickups
Bridge humbucker (custom Manson/Bare Knuckle Nailbomb, high output)
Amp
Diezel VH4 (studio recording, blended with Vox AC30 for some tracks)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2006. Guitar has built-in Fuzz Factory circuit. Settings and gear confirmed for studio version, not live.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass4.5
Gain6.5
Reverb1
Treble7.5
Presence5.5
Effects Chain
- Zvex Fuzz Factory · fuzz
- Octave effect (model unknown, likely Electro-Harmonix POG or similar) · other
- Compressor (model unknown, likely built-in or studio rack) · compression
Manson MB-1 (bridge humbucker) → Zvex Fuzz Factory (built-in) → Octave effect (likely POG or similar) → Compressor (studio or pedal) → Diezel VH4 (amp reverb at 2)
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Tone Character
- thick and gritty fuzz
- synth-like sustain
- tight, compressed attack
- percussive, gated fuzz texture
- bright and cutting top end
- mid-forward punch
- modern alternative rock fuzz
- aggressive, saturated riff tone
- distinct octave/fuzz character
- compressed, synth-inspired
Notes & Caveats
- Amp settings are sourced from a Total Guitar magazine summary via Ultimate Guitar forum (high reliability, but not direct from studio engineer).
- Exact pedal order is inferred from typical Bellamy/Muse studio setups and confirmed Fuzz Factory use; some effects (octave, compression) are inferred from audio and era.
- Presence setting is estimated (Diezel VH4 typical mid-setting; not specified in sources).
- Guitar model is confirmed as Manson MB-1 with built-in Fuzz Factory for this era; some sources mention Manson DL-1 or other Manson customs, but MB-1 is most likely for this track.
- Vox AC30 may have been blended in studio, but Diezel VH4 is primary for riff tone.
- No explicit mention of delay or modulation in the riff section; synth/fuzz character is from Fuzz Factory and possible octave effect.
- Fuzz Factory settings are estimated from forum and typical Bellamy use: Gain ~5, Tone ~8, Level ~5 (converted from % to 0-10 scale).
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Matt Bellamy's 'Supermassive Black Hole' riff uses a high-gain, mid-forward, and bright tone typical of his Diezel VH4/Marshall setup, with tight bass to avoid muddiness and no reverb for a dry, punchy, almost industrial feel. The presence is boosted for clarity, matching the song's aggressive, cutting modern rock sound.