Guitar tone · metal, rock

Black Sabbath guitar tone: gear & amp settings

The gear and amp settings behind 50 Black Sabbath songs, researched from rig rundowns, interviews and gear forums. The rig that shows up most: 1965 Gibson SG Special into Laney Supergroup LA100BL.

Guitars Black Sabbath used

1965 Gibson SG Special9 songs
Fender Precision Bass6 songs
1964 Gibson SG Special 'Monkey'4 songs
1964 Gibson SG Special (aka 'Monkey')3 songs
1965 Gibson SG Special 'Monkey'3 songs
1965 Gibson SG Special ('Monkey')2 songs
1965 Gibson SG Special (heavily modified, likely with P-90 pickups, used by Tony Iommi on Master of Reality)2 songs
1965 Gibson SG Special (heavily modified, right-handed, strung lefty)2 songs

Amps Black Sabbath used

Laney Supergroup LA100BL4 songs
Laney Supergroup MK1 LA100BL3 songs
Laney Supergroup MK 1 100-watt head with Laney 4x12 cabinet (Celestion G12-25M speakers likely)2 songs
Modified Marshall Super Lead 1959 (modded by John 'Dawk' Stillwell, extra tube and master gain control)2 songs
Laney Supergroup MK I 100-watt head with Laney 4x12 cabinet (Celestion G12-25M speakers likely)2 songs
EVH 5150III head and cabinet2 songs
Laney LA100BL Supergroup head with Laney 4x12 cabinet2 songs
Laney TI100 Tony Iommi Signature Head1 song

87 Black Sabbath tones

Song	Part	Guitar	Amp	Gain
Paranoid · riff	Riff · distorted	1964 Gibson SG Special (aka 'Monkey')	Laney Supergroup MK1 LA100BL (100-watt head) with Laney 4x12 cabinet (Celestion G12-25M speakers likely)	7.5
Iron man · riff	Riff · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special	Laney Supergroup MK 1 100-watt head with Laney 4x12 cabinet (Celestion G12-25M speakers likely)	8
War Pigs · riff	Riff · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special (heavily modified, right-handed, strung lefty)	Laney Supergroup Series I (LA100BL) head with Laney 4x12 cabinet	6
Into the Void · riff	Riff · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special	Laney Supergroup LA100BL	6
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath · riff	Riff · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special (heavily modified, likely John Birch custom pickups, tuned to C#)	Laney Supergroup LA100BL 100W head with Laney 4x12 cabinet	8.5
Paranoid · solo	Solo · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special (heavily modified, right-handed, strung lefty)	Laney LA100BL 100-watt Supergroup head with Laney 4x12 cabinet (Celestion speakers)	8
Children of the Grave · riff	Riff · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special (heavily modified, likely with P-90 pickups, used by Tony Iommi on Master of Reality)	Laney Supergroup Mk I (100W, early 1970s, used for Master of Reality sessions)	6.5
N.I.B. · riff	Riff · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special	Laney Supergroup MK I 100-watt head with Laney 4x12 cabinet (Celestion G12-25M speakers likely)	6.5
A National Acrobat · riff	Riff · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special (heavily modified, left-handed, P-90 pickups)	Laney LA100BL (early 1970s, 100-watt tube head) into Laney 4x12 cabinet	6.5
Sweet Leaf · riff	Riff · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special	Laney Supergroup 100-watt head	6
Black Sabbath · riff	Riff · distorted	1964 Gibson SG Special (nicknamed 'Monkey')	Laney LA100BL Supergroup head with Laney 4x12 cabinet	7.5
Electric Funeral · riff	Riff · distorted	1964 Gibson SG Special (aka 'Monkey')	Laney LA100BL (100-watt tube head, early model, likely with Laney 4x12 cabinet)	8
Iron Man · solo	Solo · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special	Laney Supergroup MK 1 100-watt head with Laney 4x12 cabinet (Celestion G12-25M speakers likely)	8
Paranoid · clean	Clean · clean	Fender Precision Bass (sunburst P‑bass)	Laney Klipp Supergroup tube head (Geezer Butler's 1970 rig) into Laney 4×12 cabinets	0
Rat Salad · riff	Riff · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special ('Monkey')	Laney LA100BL (100-watt tube head, early model)	7.5
The Mob Rules · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson SG (likely 1965 model, with tremolo bar)	Modified Marshall Super Lead 1959 (modded by John 'Dawk' Stillwell, extra tube and master gain control)	8
Behind the Wall of Sleep · clean	Clean · clean	1969 Fender Precision Bass	Laney Supergroup Bass Head (early model, likely LA100BL or similar, 100W tube)	0
Black Sabbath · solo	Solo · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special ('Monkey')	Laney LA100BL Supergroup (EL34, non-master volume, cranked)	7
Black Sabbath · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Fender Precision Bass (circa 1969-1970, American, passive electronics)	Laney Supergroup LA100BL 70-watt guitar head into Park 4x12 cabinet (two blown speakers)	6.5
Born to Lose (2025 Remaster) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson SG Special (likely Tony Iommi signature or vintage SG, as per Sabbath's classic recordings)	Laney Supergroup (100-watt, classic Sabbath amp, as referenced in multiple sources)	8
Can't Get Close Enough (2024 Tony Iommi Remix) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson SG Tony Iommi Signature	Laney GH100TI	7.5
Children of the Grave · solo	Solo · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special 'Monkey'	Laney LA100BL Supergroup (100W head, EL34 power section)	8.5
Children of the Grave · clean	Clean · clean	Fender Precision Bass (early 1970s, likely 1968-1971 model)	Ampeg SVT (early blue-line, 300W tube head) with matching 8x10 cab	0
Computer God · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson SG Custom (early 1960s, likely heavily modified by John Birch for Iommi)	Laney GH100S (custom high-gain head, late 80s/early 90s, used on Dehumanizer sessions)	8
Cornucopia · riff	Riff · distorted	1964 Gibson SG Special 'Monkey'	Laney Supergroup 100W head	7
Damaged Soul · riff	Riff · distorted	St. Moritz SG 'Monkey' Replica	Laney TI100 Tony Iommi Signature Head	6.5
Danger Zone (feat. Tony Iommi) [2026 Remaster] · riff	Riff · distorted	1964 Gibson SG Special 'Monkey'	Laney LA100 BL (100-watt, EL34s, Partridge transformers)	8.5
Electric Funeral · solo	Solo · distorted	1964 Gibson SG Special 'Monkey'	Laney LA100BL (100-watt tube head) into Laney 4x12 cabinet	7.5
Electric Funeral · clean	Clean · clean	Fender Precision Bass	Laney LA100BL (early 1970s tube head, likely with matching Laney 4x12 or 4x15 cab)	0
End of the Beginning · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson SG Custom (Iommi Signature, likely with custom modifications)	EVH 5150III head and 4x12 cabinet	7.5
Eternal Idol · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson SG Custom (likely 1965 or early 1970s, as used by Tony Iommi in this era)	Laney AOR Pro Tube Lead 100 (studio, late 1980s era, as used on 'Eternal Idol')	8
Fairies Wear Boots · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson SG Standard (1970)	Laney Supergroup 100W (Vintage, late 1960s/early 1970s)	6
God Is Dead? · riff	Riff · clean	Gibson SG Custom (2013, Tony Iommi signature model likely used on 13 album sessions)	EVH 5150III head and cabinet	0
God Is Dead? · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson SG Custom (Tony Iommi Signature, 24-fret, ebony fretboard, cross inlays)	Laney TI100 (Tony Iommi Signature Head) and EVH 5150III (used in combination during '13' sessions)	7.5
God Is Dead? · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson SG Custom (2013, Tony Iommi signature, likely used in studio)	EVH 5150III head and cabinet	8
Hand of Doom · riff	Riff · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special	Laney LA100BL Supergroup MK I (100-watt head) with Laney 4x12 cabinet (Celestion G12-25M speakers likely)	7.5
Headless Cross (2024 Remaster) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson SG Custom (late 1980s, likely with custom modifications by John Birch)	Laney GH100TI Tony Iommi Signature Head (late 1980s, studio recording)	7.5
Heaven and Hell · riff	Riff · distorted	John Birch Custom SG (24-fret, custom pickups, used by Tony Iommi on Heaven and Hell studio recording)	Modified Marshall Super Lead 1959 (modded by John 'Dawk' Stillwell, extra tube and master gain control)	7
Heaven and Hell · solo	Solo · distorted	Jaydee Custom SG (Tony Iommi signature, early 1980s build)	Marshall Super Lead 1959 (modded by John 'Dawk' Stillwell, extra gain stage, no treble booster)	7.5
Hole In the Sky · riff	Riff · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special (heavily modified, likely with John Birch custom pickups, possibly P-90 or custom humbucker, as used by Tony Iommi on Sabotage)	Laney Supergroup 100-watt head (early 1970s, likely LA100BL) into multiple Laney 4x12 cabinets	7
I · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson SG Custom (early 1970s, likely with John Birch modifications)	Laney GH100TI (Tony Iommi Signature Head, used on Dehumanizer sessions, 1992)	8
Into the Void · clean	Clean · clean	Fender Precision Bass	Laney Supergroup Bass Head	0
Into the Void · solo	Solo · distorted	1964 Gibson SG Special 'Monkey'	Laney LA100BL (100w valve head, modded)	6.5
Into the Void (Live In Birmingham, 4 February 2017) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Custom SG Special (Tony Iommi Signature, left-handed, with custom modifications)	Laney LA100BL (Black Country Customs, 100-watt tube head) into Laney LA412 4x12 cabinet	7.5
Iron Man · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Fender Precision Bass	Laney Supergroup (early 1970s tube head, likely LA100BL or LA50BL)	6
Iron Man · riff	Riff · clean	1964 Gibson SG Special ('Monkey')	Laney Supergroup 100W MK I head with Laney 4x12 cabinet (Celestion G12-25M speakers likely)	0
Iron Man · clean	Clean · clean	Fender Precision Bass	Laney Supergroup Bass Head (tube, early 1970s)	0
Iron Man (Live In Birmingham, 4 February 2017) · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Custom SG Special (Tony Iommi Signature, live version)	Laney TI100 Tony Iommi Signature Head with Laney 4x12 Cabinet	7.5
Jack the Stripper / Fairies Wear Boots · riff	Riff · distorted	1964 Gibson SG Special 'Monkey' (left-handed, P-90 pickups, heavily modified for Tony Iommi)	Laney LA100BL head with Laney LA412 cabinet	7
Killing Yourself to Live · riff	Riff · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special (modded for Tony Iommi, likely with P-90s or custom pickups)	1969 Laney Supergroup (likely 100-watt head, studio version)	6.5
Lonely Is the Word · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson SG Special (early 1970s, likely 1965-1967 model, with P-90s replaced by humbuckers)	Laney Supergroup LA100BL (100W tube head, late 1960s/early 1970s, used in studio)	6.5
Lord of This World · riff	Riff · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special (heavily modified, likely with P-90 pickups, used by Tony Iommi on Master of Reality)	Laney Supergroup 100-watt head into Laney 4x12 cabinet (likely with Celestion Greenback speakers)	7.5
N.I.B. · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Fender Precision Bass	Laney LA100BL 70-watt guitar amp into Park 4x12 cabinet (3 speakers loaded)	7
N.I.B. · solo	Solo · distorted	1964 Gibson SG Special (aka 'Monkey')	Laney LA100BL Supergroup 100-watt head with Laney 4x12 cabinet (Celestion G12-25M speakers likely)	8
N.I.B. · riff	Riff · clean	1965 Gibson SG Special	Laney Supergroup MK1 LA100BL	0
N.I.B. · clean	Clean · clean	Fender Precision Bass (late 1960s, likely 1968-69 model)	Laney Supergroup (early model, 100-watt tube head) into Laney 4x12 cabinet	0
Never Say Die · riff	Riff · distorted	John Birch Custom SG	Laney Supergroup MK1 LA100BL	7.5
Paranoid · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Fender Precision Bass (late 1960s, likely 1968-69, passive electronics)	Marshall Super Bass 100 (model 1992, 100W tube head) into 4x12 guitar cabs (studio), possibly Laney Supergroup for some live shows	6
Planet Caravan · solo	Solo · clean	Gibson SG Special (1965, heavily modified, likely with P-90s or early Iommi custom pickups)	Laney Supergroup Series I (early 1970s, 100-watt head)	0
Planet Caravan · riff	Riff · clean	Gibson SG Special (early 1970s, likely 1965-1967 model, as used by Tony Iommi in studio)	Laney Supergroup LA100BL (early 1970s, as used by Iommi on Paranoid album)	0
Sabbra Cadabra · riff	Riff · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special	Laney Supergroup MK I 100-watt head with Laney 4x12 cabinet (Celestion G12-25M speakers likely)	5
Snowblind · solo	Solo · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special (heavily modified, with custom finger prosthetics)	Laney Supergroup Series I (100-watt, late 60s/early 70s, non-master volume head, cranked)	7
Snowblind · clean	Clean · clean	Fender Precision Bass (early 1970s, likely 1969-1971 model)	Laney Klipp 100 (likely, based on era and Geezer's known rig for Vol. 4 sessions)	0
Snowblind · riff	Riff · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special (heavily modified, likely with John Birch custom pickups by 1972)	Laney Supergroup 100-watt head (early 1970s model, likely LA100BL or LA100SM, full stack)	6.5
Solitude · riff	Riff · clean	Gibson SG Special (early 1970s, likely 1965-1967 model, P90 pickups)	Laney Supergroup LA100BL (early 1970s, 100W tube head)	0
Solitude · solo	Solo · clean	Gibson SG Special (early 1970s, likely 1965-1967 model, P90 pickups)	Laney Supergroup MK1 LA100BL	0
Spiral Architect · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson SG Special (early 1970s, likely 1965 model with P-90s swapped for humbuckers)	Laney Supergroup 100-watt head (early 1970s, Series I or II, EL34s, 4x12 Laney cab)	7
Supernaut · riff	Riff · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special (heavily modified, likely with P-90 pickups, possibly replaced with John Birch custom pickups by 1972)	Laney Supergroup 100-watt head (early 1970s model, likely LA100BL or LA100SM, into Laney 4x12 cabinet with Celestion G12H speakers)	7
Sweet Leaf · solo	Solo · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special	Laney Supergroup LA100BL	6
Symptom of the Universe · riff	Riff · distorted	1970s Gibson SG Special	Laney Supergroup LA100BL	6.5
Symptom of the Universe · solo	Solo · distorted	1970s Gibson SG Special (heavily modified, likely with P-90 pickups or custom John Birch pickups)	Laney Supergroup 100-watt head (EL34-powered, early 1970s model)	7.5
The Wizard · riff	Riff · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special (heavily modified, with custom finger tips)	Laney LA100BL (100-watt, early model, dimed)	7.5
Under the Sun / Every Day Comes and Goes · riff	Riff · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special (modified for Tony Iommi, likely with P-90s or custom pickups)	Laney Supergroup 100-watt head (early 1970s, likely Series I or II) into Laney 4x12 cabinet	7.5
Voodoo · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson SG Standard (early 1970s, likely 1965-1967 model with P-90s swapped for humbuckers)	Laney Supergroup LA100BL (100W head, early 1970s, likely Mk I or Mk II)	6.5
Voodoo · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson SG 'Monkey' (early 1970s, heavily modded, P-90 in bridge)	Laney Supergroup 100-watt head (early 1970s, likely LA100BL or LA100SM)	7.5
War Pigs · riff	Riff · clean	1965 Gibson SG Special (Monkey)	Laney Supergroup Series I (early model, 100W head)	0
War Pigs · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Fender Precision-style bass (passive P-style)	Vintage tube amps (e.g., Ampeg SVT in studio; Hartke Kilo live; Ashdown Head of Doom/Ashdown ABM EVO IV for later live shows)	6.5
War Pigs · clean	Clean · clean	Fender Precision Bass	Laney Supergroup Bass Amp (early 1970s model)	0
War Pigs · solo	Solo · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special 'Monkey'	Laney LA100BL Supergroup head with Laney 4x12 cabinet	7
War Pigs (Live In Birmingham, 4 February 2017) · riff	Riff · distorted	Jaydee Custom SG (Tony Iommi signature, left-handed, 24 frets, ebony fretboard, P-90 style pickups)	Laney LA100BL head into Laney LA412 4x12 cabinet	7
Wasp / Behind the Wall of Sleep / Bassically / N.I.B. · riff	Riff · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special (refinished, with P-90 pickups)	Laney Supergroup Series I (early model, 100W head, EL34 tubes) into Laney 4x12 cabinet	6.5
Wasp / Behind the Wall of Sleep / Bassically / N.I.B. · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Fender Precision Bass (circa late 1960s, likely 1969-1970 model)	Laney Supergroup (AOR Pro Tube Lead 100; 70-watt guitar head) into Park 4x12 cabinet (with two blown speakers)	6.5
Wheels of Confusion / The Straightener · solo	Solo · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special (aka 'Monkey' SG, heavily modified by Iommi)	Laney Supergroup (LA100BL, 100-watt head, late 60s/early 70s model)	6.5
Wheels of Confusion / The Straightener · riff	Riff · clean	Gibson SG Special 'Monkey' (early 1960s, P-90 pickups)	Laney Supergroup LA100BL (early 1970s, 100W head)	0
Wheels of Confusion / The Straightener · riff	Riff · distorted	1965 Gibson SG Special 'Monkey'	Laney Supergroup LA100BL	7
Wicked World · riff	Riff · distorted	1960s Fender Stratocaster (white, pre-CBS, rosewood fretboard, modded frets and action)	Marshall 1968 50 Watt Plexi (likely model, as used by Iommi on this track per multiple sources)	6.5
Wicked World · solo	Solo · distorted	1965 Fender Stratocaster (left-handed, rosewood board, stock single coils)	Laney Supergroup MK1 100-watt head with Laney 4x12 cabinet (Celestion G12-25M speakers, possibly Goodman Audiom 61 speakers)	6.5

Black Sabbath songs on popular amps

Exact settings ToneAdapt players use for these songs on their own amps.

Get Black Sabbath's tone on your gear

Pick any Black Sabbath song and ToneAdapt adapts the original rig to your own guitar, amp, pickups and pedals.

Match a tone on the web iPhone app Android app

Frequently asked questions

What amp did Black Sabbath use?

Across 50 researched songs, the amps that come up most are Laney Supergroup LA100BL (4 songs), Laney Supergroup MK1 LA100BL (3 songs), Laney Supergroup MK 1 100-watt head with Laney 4x12 cabinet (Celestion G12-25M speakers likely) (2 songs), Modified Marshall Super Lead 1959 (modded by John 'Dawk' Stillwell, extra tube and master gain control) (2 songs).

What guitar did Black Sabbath use?

Most often: 1965 Gibson SG Special (9 songs), Fender Precision Bass (6 songs), 1964 Gibson SG Special 'Monkey' (4 songs), 1964 Gibson SG Special (aka 'Monkey') (3 songs).

How do I get Black Sabbath's tone on my amp?

Open any Black Sabbath song below to see the original gear and settings, then use ToneAdapt to adapt them to your own guitar, amp, pickups and pedals.