GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
The Hell Song Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Sum 41
Sum 41 · 2000s · punk
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1990s/early 2000s, goldtop or burst finish, as used by Dave Baksh in studio)
Pickups
Rio Grande Barbeque Bucker humbuckers (PAF-style, high output)
Amp
Marshall JMP (profiled, in-between Plexi and JCM800, studio recording)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording for 'The Hell Song' (2002). Guitar is a Les Paul Standard with Rio Grande Barbeque humbuckers. Amp is a Marshall JMP profiled at Deryck's studio, described as between a Plexi and JCM800 with extra gain. No evidence of pedals or effects used for the riff section; effects were kept to a minimum in studio. Settings estimated based on typical Marshall JMP for pop-punk/rock rhythm tones. Pickup selector likely on bridge for main riff.
Amp Settings
Mids6
Bass6
Gain7.5
Reverb1
Treble7
Presence6
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- chunky palm-muted power chords
- aggressive and saturated
- mid-forward, full-bodied
- articulate attack
- slight top-end bite
- minimal ambience
- classic Marshall crunch
- no audible modulation
- focused, punchy rhythm
Notes & Caveats
- No explicit numeric amp settings found for 'The Hell Song' riff; settings estimated based on Marshall JMP/Plexi/JCM800 typical use for early 2000s pop-punk/rock.
- Pedals and effects were kept to a minimum in studio; no evidence of any effects used on the riff section.
- Pickup model and selector inferred from artist interviews and typical pop-punk rhythm practices.
- No evidence of modulation, delay, or time-based effects on the riff; only slight amp reverb likely present.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Sum 41's 'The Hell Song' riff tone is tight, aggressive, and modern, typical of early 2000s pop-punk; Deryck Whibley used high-gain Marshall amps (often JCM800/900), with mids not scooped but not overly boosted, moderate bass for punch without flub, and little to no reverb for a dry, in-your-face mix.