GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
The Gallows Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Black Label Society
Black Label Society · 2000s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Custom (likely Zakk Wylde signature, EMG pickups)
Pickups
EMG 81 (bridge), EMG 85 (neck) active humbuckers
Amp
Marshall JCM800 2203 (likely with Wylde's signature overdrive/boost)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2006-2007 era (Shot to Hell album). Zakk Wylde is known for using his signature Les Paul Custom with EMG pickups and Marshall JCM800 amps for Black Label Society riff tones. No direct evidence of pedals for the riff, but Wylde is known for using an MXR ZW-44 Overdrive always on in front of the amp for tightness.
Amp Settings
Mids5
Bass6
Gain8
Reverb1
Treble7
Presence6
Effects Chain
- MXR ZW-44 Wylde Overdrive · overdrive
Guitar → MXR ZW-44 Wylde Overdrive → Marshall JCM800 2203 (with light spring reverb)
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- aggressive palm muting
- saturated high-gain distortion
- chunky low end
- razor-sharp high end
- articulate pick attack
- modern metal clarity
- controlled feedback
- scooped but present mids
Notes & Caveats
- No direct source lists exact amp or pedal settings for 'The Gallows' riff; values estimated based on Zakk Wylde's known rig for this era and genre.
- No explicit pedalboard photo or studio notes for this specific song; gear inferred from multiple interviews and live/studio rig rundowns for Shot to Hell era.
- No evidence of time-based or modulation effects in the riff section; only high-gain rhythm tone is audible.
- Settings are typical for Marshall JCM800 with overdrive boost in front, as used by Zakk Wylde for BLS rhythm tones.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Zakk Wylde's tone on 'The Gallows' is tight, aggressive, and modern with high gain, focused mids, and a controlled low end, typical of his Wylde Audio/Marshall JCM800 or 2203 setup. The sound is dry with little to no reverb, and the presence is boosted for clarity and bite, matching his signature heavy riffing style.