GuitarDistortedRiff
To Carry the Load Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Crowbar
Crowbar · 1990s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Custom (early 1980s, likely Norlin era, as used by Kirk Windstein on early Crowbar records)
Pickups
EMG 81/85 active humbuckers (most likely, based on era and genre, but not 100% confirmed for this exact track)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (most likely, as used by Kirk Windstein on early Crowbar albums, including 'Time Heals Nothing' era)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1995. No direct source confirms exact pickups or amp for this song, but all available interviews and genre/era context point to Les Paul Custom with EMGs into a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier. No evidence of pedal use for the main riff section; distortion is amp-based. No modulation or time-based effects audible on the riff.
Amp Settings
Mids5
Bass7.5
Gain8.5
Reverb0
Treble5.5
Presence6
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Tone Character
- massive and sludgy
- thick, saturated distortion
- tight palm-muted chugs
- mid-scooped, aggressive attack
- compressed and percussive
- huge low end
- grainy, heavy rhythm
- no modulation or ambience
- raw and crushing
- focused, punchy riff sound