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Vermilion — Slipknot1 / 2
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Vermilion Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Slipknot

Slipknot · 2000s · metal

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Ibanez MTM1 (Mick Thomson signature, 2000s production, fixed bridge, mahogany body, EMG pickups)
Pickups
EMG 81 (bridge), EMG 60 (neck) active humbuckers
Amp
Peavey 5150 II (aka 6505+), likely boosted with Maxon OD-820 Overdrive Pro
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup (EMG 81)

Studio recording, 2003-2004 (Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses sessions). Gear confirmed for era and recording by Premier Guitar rig rundown. Riff section is Mick Thomson's rhythm part. No evidence of live rig or alternate amp for this section.

Amp Settings

Mids
4.5
Bass
6
Gain
9
Reverb
0
Treble
7
Presence
6.5

Effects Chain

  • Maxon OD-820 Overdrive Pro · overdrive
  • Noise Gate (model unknown) · noise_gate

Ibanez MTM1 (EMG 81 bridge) → Maxon OD-820 Overdrive Pro → Noise Gate → Peavey 5150 II amp head → 4x12 cab

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Tone Character

  • tight and percussive
  • scooped mids
  • aggressive palm muting
  • high-gain saturation
  • razor-sharp attack
  • focused low end
  • minimal ambience
  • modern metal clarity
  • dense, layered rhythm guitars
  • articulate pick attack

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct amp knob values for 'Vermilion' riff found; settings estimated based on typical Peavey 5150 II usage in 2000s metal and Mick Thomson's known preferences.
  • ⚠️Pedal and effect usage confirmed for era and song, but not all settings are available.
  • ⚠️No evidence of reverb or modulation effects on the riff section; delay is used in other parts but not in the main riff.
  • ⚠️All gear and effects are for the studio recording, not live.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Slipknot's 'Vermilion' features a very high-gain, modern metal tone with tight, controlled low end, slightly scooped but not hollow mids, and enough treble/presence for clarity and aggression. The band typically uses Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifiers with low reverb for a dry, punchy sound, matching the genre and era conventions.

Sources