GuitarDistortedRiff
The Dark Side Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Muse
Muse · 2010s+ · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Manson MB-1
Pickups
Manson custom humbucker (bridge position)
Amp
Marshall (model not specified, likely JCM800 or similar, as referenced for album sessions)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2018 (Simulation Theory album). Matt Bellamy used a Manson MB-1 with a custom humbucker into a Marshall amp for the main riff. Effects included a Korg SDD-3000 digital delay and a Space Echo-style reverb pedal. No explicit mention of live rig for this song's riff.
Amp Settings
Mids5.5
Bass6
Gain7.5
Reverb2.5
Treble7.5
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Korg SDD-3000 Digital Delay · delay
- Space Echo-style reverb pedal (exact model unknown) · reverb
Manson MB-1 (bridge humbucker) → Korg SDD-3000 Digital Delay → Space Echo-style reverb pedal → Marshall amp
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Tone Character
- tight, compressed distortion
- saturated, modern rock tone
- clear note definition under heavy gain
- synth-like sustain
- aggressive, percussive attack
- articulate under palm muting
- processed, digital delay ambience
- slightly scooped but present mids
- studio-polished, layered sound