GuitarDistortedRiff
Zombie Riff Guitar Tone Settings — The Cranberries
The Cranberries · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender Telecaster (Noel Hogan's main electric for studio recording of 'Zombie')
Pickups
Single-coil (Fender Telecaster stock pickups, likely 1960s/early 90s reissue)
Amp
Marshall 30th Anniversary 6101 Combo (studio recording, 1994)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1994. Noel Hogan used a Fender Telecaster into a Marshall 6101 combo for the main riff. Pedals included a Big Muff Pi for fuzz/distortion and a DOD FX68 Super Stereo Chorus for modulation. Chorus is always on for shimmer. The amp is set for a thick, mid-heavy crunch. No evidence of delay or reverb pedals; any ambience is likely from the studio mix. Pickup selector is set to the bridge position for the riff.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6.5
Gain6
Reverb2.5
Treble4.5
Presence4
Effects Chain
- Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi · fuzz
- DOD FX68 Super Stereo Chorus · chorus
Fender Telecaster → Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi → DOD FX68 Super Stereo Chorus → Marshall 6101 Combo (spring reverb low)
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Tone Character
- mid-heavy and thick
- fuzzy crunch with clarity
- treble rolled off for warmth
- aggressive, percussive attack
- chorus shimmer always present
- bridge pickup bite
- not overly saturated
- warm but cutting
- distinctive alternative rock edge
- full-bodied and punchy