GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
The Other Side of Madness Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Cro-Mags
Cro-Mags · 1980s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1981 BC Rich Bich
Pickups
BC Rich stock humbuckers (likely DiMarzio Super Distortion or similar, era-correct)
Amp
Marshall JCM800 100 watt head
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1986 (The Age of Quarrel album). Parris Mayhew confirmed in interview that the only guitar used on all Cro-Mags recordings of this era was his 1981 BC Rich Bich, through Marshall JCM800 heads. Used BOSS Heavy Metal pedal for distortion on this album. No evidence of additional effects or amp reverb.
Amp Settings
Mids4.5
Bass5.5
Gain7.5
Reverb0
Treble7
Presence6
Effects Chain
- BOSS Heavy Metal HM-2 · distortion
Guitar → BOSS HM-2 Heavy Metal → Marshall JCM800 head → Marshall 4x12 cabinet
Tone Matcher
Match This Tone to Your Gear
Tell us your guitar and amp — we’ll calculate the exact settings translated to your specific rig.
Adapt to MY Gear →7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.
Tone Character
- aggressive and raw
- crunchy and distorted
- tight and percussive
- scooped mids
- high-gain saturation
- robust and thunderous
- dynamic and relentless
- punchy attack
- melodic but heavy
- dense, powerful rhythm
Notes & Caveats
- No direct amp knob settings found for this specific song; settings estimated based on Marshall JCM800 typical usage for 1980s hardcore/metal and tone descriptors from sources.
- Exact pickup model not specified; inferred from era and typical BC Rich Bich specs.
- No evidence of time-based or modulation effects (delay, chorus, flanger, etc.) on the riff section; only distortion pedal and amp used.
- No amp reverb or built-in effects used per interviews and genre conventions.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Cro-Mags' 'The Other Side of Madness' features a classic late-80s NYHC/metal crossover tone: high gain, tight low end, slightly scooped mids, and pronounced treble/presence for aggression and cut. The recording is dry, and the amp settings reflect typical JCM800/Marshall tones used by the band in this era.