187 thoughts on “The Magic EQ Setting with Gary’s Guitar Tones”

  3. How do I get the In Flames Sound
    Nick

    I have a Peavey 5150 head and I know In Flames use the same head. How do I set the amp to get their type of sound? I also have a boss metal zone and a digitech rp100 if they will help somehow. -thanks

    1. Re: How do I get the In Flames Sound
      the great green

      i think in flames mods their 5150’s. if i’m right, they add a bias trim pot mod or something. normaly, peavey runs the tube amps they make at very cold voltages, like 12-15 milli amps. i think in flames cranks the voltage up to about 40 milli amps. i’m not sure how to do this, or even if the mod info i gave is correct, but i do KNOW that in flames mods their 5150’s.

    1. Re: How do I get that Entombed guitar sound?
      patrick

      : How do I go About getting that Entombed guitar sound out of my amp and Boss Metal Zone Pedal? The only thing I know (i don’t know if it’s helpfull) is that Entombed usually record their guitar sounds with small 50 watt combo’s. That way you will create that dirty distortion sound (with the gain cranked up to 10, and the treble and mid both to 7,0).

      1. Re: How do I get that Entombed guitar sound?
        CrypTECH

        I’ve been looking for an answer to this riddle for years.

        I’ve just read an interview with Entombed in which they say the recipe is: a Boss Heavy Metal HM-2 Pedal (all knobs at 10) through a small Peavey 40W amp.

        I’ve also read another interview with Bloodbath’s guitarist (they have a similar guitar sound). He says: one guitar through a Boss HM-2 on one track and a regular distorted guitar sound layered on another track.

        The irony of all this is this was the first distortion pedal I ever bought, around 1987, but I sold it in the early 90’s. I’ve just bought a used one on eBay.

        1. Re: How do I get that Entombed guitar sound?
          Doomfred

          The answer is indeed Boss HM2.
          They put it in a JCM800 50 watt head, the pedal settings is apparently "cranked all the way up"

        2. Re: How do I get that Entombed guitar sound?
          Opa

          There´s this new band from Finland, Chaosbreed which plays old-skool style death metal in the style of Entombed. In their interview they we´re asked about their guitar sound, they just said that you must have HM-2. Nothing else…

          Quess I got to have one of those.

  6. country sound
    al

    hi gary,do you think you could help me on this one
    you know that tone they get on all country rock albums,is it a couple of grands worth of compressor,a pedal steel guitar pickup bolted to a fender,or studio tricks and no guitar has ever sounded like that live.
    i can get close to it but thats using 2 compressors and 006 distortion on my rp6,oh and one last thing do electro harmonix still make the black finger sustainer? thanks for your time AL.

    1. Re: country sound
      Brent

      Al
      I can get my guitar sounding like that while playing live. Using USA Tele and VC30 tube amp set at 1/3 drive and all tone conmtrols to the max. No effect or compressors. Sounds good off course not 100% like studio production but very recognisible sound anyway.
      Brent

      fender,or studio tricks and no guitar has ever sounded like that live.

    1. Re: Annihilator Gear Settings
      KURICA

      : What are Jeff Waters Amp Settings?

      And what about his humbuckers and effects?
      How did he record his first two álbuns (the guitar sound, of course)?

      1. Re: Annihilator Gear Settings
        Chris

        From the annihilator forums jeff uses marshall jcm 800’s and seymour duncan pickups JB’s I believe. He is endorsed with ran guitars and laboga amps atm

  8. John Petrucci, Steve vai, Sat
    Wes

    Just searching for that sound that these guys have when they are in solo mood. The sustain seems to last forever. Also if anyone knows the settings for John Petrucci when he’s in bad ass metal mood, let me know. Thanks

    1. Re: John Petrucci, Steve vai, Sat
      Cman

      All I know is that both men use numerous devices to achieve their amazing tone. The best place to start would probably involve buying a Mark II C+ Head (Petrucci…pretty expensive) or a Carvin Legacy(Vai…Actually not too bad of a price…Carvin Rules). I would give you some setting suggestions if I knew what kind of amp you have. That plays a huge role in defining your tone. Also check out Petrucci and Vai’s websites. Petrucci’s has a message board where you can ask him questions. You could post a question for John himself and he will eventually answer. I’m not so sure about Vai, but it’s worth a shot. Either way, go visit their sites, they both have some valuable info on them.

      1. Re: John Petrucci, Steve vai, Sat
        Wes

        Hey Cman, I have a peavey XXX, and a jackson V guitar. Can’t afford too much equipment at the moment cos i’m skint, i’ve also got a metal zone pedal, overdrive pedal and a whammy pedal. Any tips on how to achieve the tone

      2. Re: John Petrucci, Steve vai, Sat
        Wes

        : All I know is that both men use numerous devices to achieve their amazing tone. The best place to start would probably involve buying a Mark II C+ Head (Petrucci…pretty expensive) or a Carvin Legacy(Vai…Actually not too bad of a price…Carvin Rules). I would give you some setting suggestions if I knew what kind of amp you have. That plays a huge role in defining your tone. Also check out Petrucci and Vai’s websites. Petrucci’s has a message board where you can ask him questions. You could post a question for John himself and he will eventually answer. I’m not so sure about Vai, but it’s worth a shot. Either way, go visit their sites, they both have some valuable info on them.

        1. Re: John Petrucci, Steve vai, Sat
          FTK

          If you can’t afford a Mesa amp you can turn to the Line6 POD 2.0 which has a Mesa Mark IIC+ amp model and Rectifier modelling, or even much better the new Line6 POD XT LIVE floorboard. You will get your tone easily!
          Other ways: start by eq: lots of mid and cut a lot of treble and presence! And use a compressor stompbox (not expensive and you will have the endless long tone

  9. Im looking for a specific tone!!!
    Myke

    I play through a 5150 full stack. My cabs have celestions. I looking for like the nu-metal tone such as; Disturbed, drowning pool, deftones etc…., CAn some one tell me what i need to get for my rig that i have now. Maybe a specific type of processor or maybe some rack mount stuff.

      1. Re: john frusciante
        Blair

        hi, me again, Also hook up a marshall 200 watt super bass amp head with a marshall 50/100 Silver jubilee, Full bass, no middle and minimum treble

        2. Re: john frusciante
          Blair

          : hi, me again, Also hook up a marshall 200 watt super bass amp head with a marshall 50/100 Silver jubilee, Full bass, no middle and minimum treble, that might also work

  13. Guns N' Roses through a Line 6
    jeff

    I am a huge fan of Guns N’ Roses, more so the original line up with Slash, but I am excited for what Axl has coming (hopefully soon). I own a Gibson SG Deluxe and a Line 6 Spider 212 amp. Can someone tell me how to dial in tones like that of slash? It would be much appreciated!!!

  14. SRV
    jeff

    Please send me the settings for Stevie Ray Vaughan’s amp, especially the song Lenny, that is really the only song i would like to know the settings to.
    Thanks, Jeff

    1. Re: SRV
      bob

      : Please send me the settings for Stevie Ray Vaughan’s amp, especially the song Lenny, that is really the only song i would like to know the settings to.
      : Thanks, Jeff

      moooooooooooooooo

  16. Stephen Carpenter of the Deftones settings?
    Tom

    Hey does anyone know what settings he uses? cuz i’ve been trying to get his sound but its so had to find…lol and does anyone know a Staind setting? just let me know…thanks

      2. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... matt
        matt

        : hey i have his rig (el 34 and jmp 1) but i am very new to it, i just got rid of my booge for this and i am trying to figure out the best tone i can get, im playing through 75 watt speakers and i am looking for a big tone can u give me some tips on wat would be possible thanks later

    1. Re: Death Metal amp tones
      Michael

      What cannibal album tone do you want? Earlier albums (Tomb of the mutilated((AWESOME Tone)) They use soley Digitech GSP 2101 Artist prosessors, passive pickups (either duncans or dimarzio’s are good) and since they got that new guy he uses mesa dual rects with EMG 81 pickups and jack still uses the Digitech 2101.

        1. Re: Death Metal amp tones
          JeffTHE GUITARIST

          The best advice I can give you for cannibal corse is invest in a metal zone. You can really hear that sound on albums like vile. Other than that older corpse would probaly be best if you just crank up the mid, bass and treble almost at the same level. try boosting the treble slightly more than the rest but not by much. The "BOSS" Metal Zone is probably your best bet though. I’ve worked with every distortion pedal there is and nothing sounds as death as the metal zone. If you do purchase one your setting will be personal prefferance. But the more bass set on it, the more you’ll get chest pounding chest distortion. It also depends on how you play more importantly.

        1. easy
          listen

          OK its easy….. Turn the Highs up all the way bring the lows between 50-75%(depends on the head) and drop the mids all together…. Crank the gain…. and you have a sick metal tone

              1. Re: Death Metal amp tones
                JeffTHE GUITARIST

                Deftones amp settings would probably have to be crank up everything. low end, mid and treble. turn down the reverb to about a 3 or 4 and there you have it. No metal zone pedals for that. Steve carpenter uses alot of FLANGER effects and some DIGITAL DELAY. Use good palm muting techniques and you should achieve Steve’s tone pretty much.

    1. Re: rancid?
      nathan

      to sound liek rancid you should beat yourslef over the head many man times, rub feces all over your face and plug your guitar into an electiral outlet.

    1. Re: Bon Jovi/Guns n' Roses amp settings
      VHS

      Slash from GNR uses:

      presence-7, bass-7, mid-4.5, treble-7, output master-6, lead master-10, input gain-6.5 for the distortion sounds found on songs like "Garden of Eden."

      For softer songs like November Rain or Sweet Child O’ Mine, he uses:
      presence-0, bass-9, mid-3, treble-5 1/2, OM-10, lead M-0, InGain-4.
      He uses Marshall 2555 Silver Jubilee 50 and 100 watt heads with groove tubes.

  22. Vanhalen aint talking bout love Apollo 440
    Hayden Dempsey

    I have an Ibanez Ax and am using the Peavey Envoy and want to get the same phat sound the EVH got on the legendary song in the intro any one know the settings for eq and maybe if any effects were used? thanx

    1. Re: Vanhalen aint talking bout love Apollo 440
      vhs

      I’m not sure about that song, but his signature sound can be found with these settings, as listed in a previous issue of Guitar World:

      drive-7, bass-4.5, mid-9, treb-10, ch volume-7.5, reverb-1.5, effect tweak-1, effect-flanger 1

    2. Re: Vanhalen aint talking bout love Apollo 440
      vhs

      I’m not sure about that song, but his signature sound can be found with these settings, as listed in a previous issue of Guitar World:

      drive-7, bass-4.5, mid-9, treb-10, ch volume-7.5, reverb-1.5, effect tweak-, effect-flanger 1

      1. Re: metallisettings
        vhs

        In the Guitar World Guitar Legends issue (#42), different Metallica stats are given:

        RHYTHM:

        drive-6, bass-9, mid-7, treb-10, ch vol-9 reverb-2

        LEAD:

        drive-10, bass-4.5, mid-9,treb-8.5, ch vol-10, rev-2.5, effect tweak-1.5

    1. Re: Dimebags amp settings
      Max

      I don’t know specifically, but have the bass and treble very high, 8 or 9 and the mids very low, 2 or 3. This is good for most heavy metal. Oh, and turn the gain up to the max!

      1. Re: Dimebags amp settings
        Dirty Heritage

        no kranks used: randall rg100es later the century model always hidden backstage,kranks wer fake dude,he played solidstate treble bas 8-9 mids 2-3 or out completely,powr up guitar,and let it crank some feedback for a good two minutes,and just play,cuz ya aint gonna sound like him by buying everything he played,check stuff out,and work on your own sound,if you into dime like me,build a sound on what you like,and keep burnin up those fretboards!!

        good luck

        btw he tuned always 1/4 below so Eb is to him Eb minus the 1/4 and so on

        dont use alott off distortion ,dime relied on gain,high gain pickups(bill lawrence l-xl500,a wah (as filter during solo’s)and furman pq3,mxr blue eq,and a rocktron silencer

        but ye put some gain on your amp scoop the mids,and mess bout!

        greetings from holland lol

      1. Re: Dimebags amp settings
        Jonathan

        Previous Post: "try using any amp with a good 2nd distortion channel, and whack treble and bass to max and no middle."

        No offense to this guy, but this is waaay off for Dime. The general idea for the metal guitar sound is this way, however Darrell uses quite a bit of effects. One of the most important is the Furman PQ-3(at times a PQ-4). Its a parametric EQ for finetuning his frequencies as well as a preamp for shooting extra gain into his amp for more balls. I have a Randall Warhead and hated the sound until using the Furman. Now its a f*cking monster. Try entering "dimebag darrells settings" into AOL search…there are several detailed sites on his gear. Hope that helps you.

        1. warhead
          Jacks

          The warhead already comes with a nine band eq built in it and a mid scoop. Try this combination for the dime sound:

          On the 9 band eq: from low to high range (I’ve placed the number system as a 0 to 10 being from bottom to top)
          7-5-7-3-1-4-8-6-9 and the master tone knobs are Bass: 6.5 Mid Flat: 2 Mid Sweep: 5.5 Treble: 8.5
          add a touch of the 11 preset delay and you’ll get a pretty close to Dime tone.

          what do you set the extra eq too?

        2. Re: Dimebags amp settings
          Ben

          Darrel Dimebag………. the mans a god….bow down before his name
          Ive been playing guitar ever since ive listen to pantera and ive listen to pantera since the begining. There is no way anyone can make a guitar sound as good as Dimebag. The only way to get even close is to purchase the right equipment.

        3. Re: Dimebags amp settings
          Dimebag_Winza

          Thanks man for clearing that up i almost had a heart attack hearing that other bullshit

          : Previous Post: "try using any amp with a good 2nd distortion channel, and whack treble and bass to max and no middle."

          : No offense to this guy, but this is waaay off for Dime. The general idea for the metal guitar sound is this way, however Darrell uses quite a bit of effects. One of the most important is the Furman PQ-3(at times a PQ-4). Its a parametric EQ for finetuning his frequencies as well as a preamp for shooting extra gain into his amp for more balls. I have a Randall Warhead and hated the sound until using the Furman. Now its a f*cking monster. Try entering "dimebag darrells settings" into AOL search…there are several detailed sites on his gear. Hope that helps you.

          1. Re:Warhead fuse
            Eric

            : Thanks man for clearing that up i almost had a heart attack hearing that other bullshit

            : : Previous Post: "try using any amp with a good 2nd distortion channel, and whack treble and bass to max and no middle."

            : : I just bought a used warhead head and it keeps blowing fuses in the back under the output jack. Does anyone know what type fuse it uses and what the owners mannuel says? general idea for the metal guitar sound is this way, however Darrell uses quite a bit of effects. One of the most important is the Furman PQ-3(at times a PQ-4). Its a parametric EQ for finetuning his frequencies as well as a preamp for shooting extra gain into his amp for more balls. I have a Randall Warhead and hated the sound until using the Furman. Now its a f*cking monster. Try entering "dimebag darrells settings" into AOL search…there are several detailed sites on his gear. Hope that helps you.

            1. Re:Warhead fuse
              kenny

              i heard that dimebag cranked his mid
              : : Thanks man for clearing that up i almost had a heart attack hearing that other bullshit

              : : : Previous Post: "try using any amp with a good 2nd distortion channel, and whack treble and bass to max and no middle."

              : : : I just bought a used warhead head and it keeps blowing fuses in the back under the output jack. Does anyone know what type fuse it uses and what the owners mannuel says? general idea for the metal guitar sound is this way, however Darrell uses quite a bit of effects. One of the most important is the Furman PQ-3(at times a PQ-4). Its a parametric EQ for finetuning his frequencies as well as a preamp for shooting extra gain into his amp for more balls. I have a Randall Warhead and hated the sound until using the Furman. Now its a f*cking monster. Try entering "dimebag darrells settings" into AOL search…there are several detailed sites on his gear. Hope that helps you.

  26. tone
    johnimlay

    hi there gary…i’ve tried to get an eric johnson..and stevie ray vaughn sound but it has been stressful as i have just started playing..could u please give me some tips..thanx

  29. David Lindley
    Terry Barham

    Do you have any info on Lindley’s lap steel sound?
    He’s got that sort of, for lack of a better word, "canned" sound and I’m lookin’ for it.
    Any help or ideas would be appreciated.
    I’m playing through a "63" Fender Deluxe

    Thanks

  30. Josh Clayton Felt lives on!!
    Christopher Dorsey

    I am interested in finding any and all details abou the specifics of Josh Clayton Felt’s Gutiar techniques as well as the other members

    1. Re: Josh Clayton Felt lives on!!
      anonymous

      : I am interested in finding any and all details abou the specifics of Josh Clayton Felt’s Gutiar techniques as well as the other members

      1. Re: Josh Clayton Felt lives on!!
        ryan roth

        : : I am interested in finding any and all details abou the specifics of Josh Clayton Felt’s Gutiar techniques as well as the other members

        1. Re: Josh Clayton Felt lives on!!
          Brandan

          What specifics are you looking for…you were a little vague. I am a musician and I really like Josh’s guitar style. I know a few of his songs, so maybe I can help you.

  31. fat tone!
    Cameron

    Ive been playing guitar for 6 years and I cant quite get a tone Im looking for. I tune my guitar down to A, and am having trouble getting my distortion to stay crisp….any ideas to help? I am using 7 string gauge strings so I know its not that.

    1. Re: fat tone!
      vic

      yo man i’ve had the same problem. the main thing is string gauge, tuning and intonation. since the tuning is so low you must have good machine heads. another thing is intonation. you must set it to get the perfect tone and sound. that’s how your distortion will sound crisp. if your guitar gets out of tuned fast (ie crappy machine heads or no locking nut) then either get a new guitar (i’d prefer ibanez) or tune to b which is a step up. and still sounds crazy. listen to sepultura (roots bloody roots) or soulfly to see what i mean. have any more problems write me at [email protected]

      1. Re: fat tone!
        Dan

        You want to use a heavier gauge strings. If you are going to tune that low then you want to use 12’s or 11’s or you will have tunning problems. Also …..with heavy distortion and that low of tunning, if your speakers have a low wattage rating then they are going to sound a bit flabby. If you want to have a tighter distortion then you are going to need speakers that are at least 75 watts a piece. You might want to consider 80 watt speakers. They will be able to handle the low tunning and won’t fart out on you. Go to the celestion website and go there and ask them about your situation and I think they can help you out.
        Good luck.

        dan
        amherst
        http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/331/amherst.html

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