Guitar tone · metal

Death guitar tone: gear & amp settings

The gear and amp settings behind 44 Death songs, researched from rig rundowns, interviews and gear forums. The rig that shows up most: Stealth B.C. Rich Chuck Schuldiner Custom into Marshall Valvestate 8100.

Guitars Death used

Stealth B.C. Rich Chuck Schuldiner Custom5 songs
B.C. Rich Stealth4 songs
BC Rich Stealth3 songs
Ibanez S540 Custom (James Murphy's main guitar during 'Individual Thought Patterns' sessions)1 song
Stealth B.C. Rich Chuck Schuldiner Signature (custom, neck-through, single bridge humbucker, ebony fretboard)1 song
B.C. Rich Stealth (early 1990s, likely USA Custom Shop, as used by Chuck Schuldiner on 'The Sound of Perseverance')1 song
B.C. Rich Stealth (1980s USA model, likely with DiMarzio X2N bridge pickup)1 song
1996/1997 B.C. Rich Stealth (USA Custom Shop, neck-through, ebony fretboard)1 song

Amps Death used

Marshall Valvestate 810025 songs
Randall RG100ES solid-state head8 songs
Marshall JCM800 22104 songs
Marshall Valvestate VS81002 songs
Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio recording amp for 'Individual Thought Patterns' era, likely used for solos)1 song
Marshall Valvestate 8100 (VS100) Head1 song
Marshall Valvestate 8100 (used by Chuck Schuldiner for 'The Sound of Perseverance' era, including 'Painkiller')1 song
Randall RG100ES solid state head1 song

72 Death tones

Song	Part	Guitar	Amp	Gain
Crystal Mountain · riff	Riff · distorted	Jackson Custom Shop Warrior	Marshall Valvestate 8100	8.5
Spirit Crusher · riff	Riff · distorted	BC Rich Stealth (late 90s, likely USA Custom Shop, as used by Chuck Schuldiner on 'The Sound of Perseverance')	Marshall Valvestate 8100 100-watt head	8
Symbolic · riff	Riff · distorted	BC Rich Stealth (custom, early 90s, likely with DiMarzio X2N bridge pickup)	Marshall Valvestate 8100	8.5
Spiritual Healing · riff	Riff · distorted	B.C. Rich Stealth (custom, late 1980s/early 1990s model, likely with DiMarzio X2N bridge pickup)	Marshall JCM800 2210	8.5
Voice of the Soul · riff	Riff · distorted	BC Rich Stealth	Marshall Valvestate	4
Nothing Is Everything · riff	Riff · distorted	B.C. Rich Stealth (early 1990s, as used by Chuck Schuldiner on 'Individual Thought Patterns')	Marshall Valvestate 8100	8.5
Painkiller · riff	Riff · distorted	BC Rich Stealth (Chuck Schuldiner signature, early 1990s, as used on The Sound of Perseverance sessions)	Marshall Valvestate 8100 (used in studio for The Sound of Perseverance, including Painkiller cover)	8.5
Pull the Plug · riff	Riff · distorted	B.C. Rich Stealth	Randall RG100ES solid-state head	8.5
The Philosopher · riff	Riff · distorted	1990s BC Rich Stealth (Chuck Schuldiner's main studio guitar for Individual Thought Patterns)	Marshall Valvestate 8100 (used on Individual Thought Patterns studio recording)	8.5
Flesh and the Power It Holds · riff	Riff · distorted	B.C. Rich Stealth	Marshall Valvestate 8100 head with Marshall Valvestate 4x12 cabinet	8.5
Vacant Planets · riff	Riff · distorted	1980s/early 1990s Jackson Soloist (likely custom, as used by Chuck Schuldiner on 'Spiritual Healing')	Randall RG100ES solid-state head	8.5
Voice of the Soul · solo	Solo · distorted	BC Rich Stealth	Marshall Valvestate VS8100	4.5
Zombie Ritual · riff	Riff · distorted	B.C. Rich Stealth (early 1980s, USA-made, stock)	Randall RG100ES solid-state head	9
Crystal Mountain · solo	Solo · distorted	BC Rich Stealth	Marshall Valvestate 8100	8.5
Lack of Comprehension · riff	Riff · distorted	B.C. Rich Stealth (early 1990s, likely USA model)	Marshall Valvestate 8100	8.5
Left to Die · riff	Riff · distorted	B.C. Rich Stealth (1980s USA model, custom for Chuck Schuldiner)	Randall RG100ES solid-state head	8.5
Leprosy · riff	Riff · distorted	B.C. Rich Stealth (custom, early model, likely DiMarzio X2N bridge pickup)	Marshall JCM800 2210	8.5
Suicide Machine · riff	Riff · distorted	Stealth B.C. Rich Chuck Schuldiner Signature (customized B.C. Rich Stealth)	Marshall Valvestate 8100	8.5
1,000 Eyes · riff	Riff · distorted	Stealth B.C. Rich Chuck Schuldiner Signature (custom, neck-through, single bridge humbucker, ebony fretboard)	Marshall Valvestate 8100 (VS100) Head	8.5
1,000 Eyes · solo	Solo · distorted	Ibanez X-Series (likely XPT700 or similar, as used by Chuck Schuldiner in the late 1990s)	Marshall Valvestate 8100 (model 8100, hybrid solid-state/tube preamp, as used on 'Symbolic' and 'The Sound of Perseverance')	8
Bite the Pain · riff	Riff · distorted	B.C. Rich Mockingbird	Marshall Valvestate 8100 (studio), possibly Marshall JCM800 2203 (live/touring)	8
Bite the Pain · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Spector NS-2 (likely Euro or US model, as used by Scott Clendenin in late Death era)	Ampeg SVT (classic tube head, likely SVT-CL or SVT-II, standard for Death's late 90s studio/live)	8
Born Dead · riff	Riff · distorted	Stealth B.C. Rich Mockingbird (Chuck Schuldiner's main guitar for 'Leprosy' and 'Spiritual Healing' era, likely used on 'Born Dead')	Marshall Valvestate 8100	8.5
Cosmic Sea · riff	Riff · distorted	1990s Jackson Soloist (likely SL1 or custom, as used by Chuck Schuldiner on 'Human')	Marshall Valvestate 8100 (used by Chuck Schuldiner on 'Human' studio recording)	8.5
Crystal Mountain · riff	Riff · clean	BC Rich Stealth (custom, single pickup, likely 1990s model)	Marshall Valvestate 8100	0
Defensive Personalities · riff	Riff · distorted	B.C. Rich Stealth (likely 1980s USA model, as used by Chuck Schuldiner on 'Spiritual Healing')	Marshall JCM800 2210	8
Destiny · riff	Riff · distorted	Stealth Custom Guitars Chuck Schuldiner Signature (based on B.C. Rich Stealth)	Marshall Valvestate 8100	8.5
Empty Words · riff	Riff · distorted	Jackson Soloist (likely SL1 or custom shop, as used by Chuck Schuldiner on Symbolic)	Marshall Valvestate 8100 (used on Symbolic album recording)	8.5
Empty Words · solo	Solo · distorted	B.C. Rich Stealth (custom, fixed bridge, likely black finish)	Marshall Valvestate 8100 head and cabinet	8
Evil Dead · riff	Riff · clean	B.C. Rich Stealth (early 1980s USA model, as used by Chuck Schuldiner on Scream Bloody Gore)	Randall RG100ES solid-state head (studio recording, 1987 Scream Bloody Gore sessions)	0
Evil Dead · riff	Riff · distorted	B.C. Rich Stealth (early 1980s, USA-made, as used by Chuck Schuldiner on Scream Bloody Gore)	Randall RG100ES solid-state head	8.5
Evil Dead · clean	Clean · clean	Fender Precision Bass (likely early 1980s, passive)	Ampeg SVT (classic tube head, likely 810 cab)	0
Evil Dead · solo	Solo · distorted	B.C. Rich Stealth (early 1980s, USA-made, likely DiMarzio Super Distortion bridge pickup)	Randall RG100ES solid-state head	9
Flattening of Emotions · riff	Riff · distorted	1990s Jackson Soloist (likely SL1 or SL2, USA Custom Shop, as used by Chuck Schuldiner on 'Human')	Marshall Valvestate 8100	8.5
Flesh and the Power It Holds · solo	Solo · distorted	1996/1997 B.C. Rich Stealth (USA Custom Shop, neck-through, ebony fretboard)	Marshall Valvestate 8100	9
Flesh and the Power It Holds · clean	Clean · clean	Tobias Basic 6 (early 90s, likely custom, as used by Scott Clendenin on 'The Sound of Perseverance')	Mesa Boogie Bass 400+ (studio standard for Death in this era)	0
Flesh and the Power It Holds · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Tobias Basic 6 (custom 6-string, fretless, Bartolini pickups, as used by Scott Clendenin on 'The Sound of Perseverance')	Mesa Boogie Bass 400+ (studio standard for Death's late 90s era)	8
Flesh and the Power It Holds (1998 Demos) [No Bass] · riff	Riff · distorted	B.C. Rich Stealth	Marshall Valvestate (likely VS8100 or VS2000 series)	8.5
Genetic Reconstruction · solo	Solo · distorted	Ibanez S540 Custom (James Murphy's main guitar during 'Individual Thought Patterns' sessions)	Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio recording amp for 'Individual Thought Patterns' era, likely used for solos)	8.5
Genetic Reconstruction · riff	Riff · distorted	B.C. Rich Stealth (late 1980s/early 1990s, likely USA model, as used by Chuck Schuldiner on 'Spiritual Healing')	Marshall JCM800 2210	8
Individual Thought Patterns · riff	Riff · distorted	Stealth B.C. Rich Chuck Schuldiner Custom	Marshall Valvestate 8100	9
Lack of Comprehension · riff	Riff · clean	1990s B.C. Rich Stealth (likely USA Custom Shop, as used by Chuck Schuldiner on Human)	Marshall Valvestate 8100 (studio recording, as used on Human album sessions)	0
Living Monstrosity · riff	Riff · distorted	B.C. Rich Stealth (late 1980s USA model, as used by Chuck Schuldiner on 'Spiritual Healing')	Randall RG100ES solid-state head (studio recording, 1989/1990 era)	8.5
Nothing Is Everything · solo	Solo · distorted	Stealth B.C. Rich Chuck Schuldiner Custom (1987-1993, likely DiMarzio X2N bridge pickup)	Marshall Valvestate 8100 (studio recording, 1993)	8.5
Open Casket · riff	Riff · distorted	B.C. Rich Stealth (custom, early 80s, DiMarzio X2N bridge pickup, Kahler tremolo)	Marshall Valvestate 8100	8
Overactive Imagination · riff	Riff · distorted	Stealth B.C. Rich Chuck Schuldiner Custom	Marshall Valvestate 8100	8.5
Overactive Imagination (2023 Remaster) · riff	Riff · distorted	Jackson Soloist (likely 1990s USA model, as used by Chuck Schuldiner on 'Individual Thought Patterns')	Marshall Valvestate 8100 (used by Chuck Schuldiner for 'Individual Thought Patterns' studio recording)	8.5
Painkiller · solo	Solo · distorted	B.C. Rich Stealth (early 1990s, likely USA Custom Shop, as used by Chuck Schuldiner on 'The Sound of Perseverance')	Marshall Valvestate 8100 (used by Chuck Schuldiner for 'The Sound of Perseverance' era, including 'Painkiller')	8.5
Painkiller · distorted	Distorted · distorted	BC Rich Mockingbird (likely, as used by Scott Clendenin on The Sound of Perseverance era)	Ampeg SVT Classic (studio standard for 1990s death metal, no direct source for this song but inferred from era and genre)	8
Perennial Quest · riff	Riff · distorted	Jackson Kelly (likely custom, as used by Chuck Schuldiner on Symbolic)	Marshall Valvestate 8100	8.5
Primitive Ways · riff	Riff · distorted	1980s/early 1990s B.C. Rich Stealth (USA, neck-through, DiMarzio X2N bridge pickup, Kahler tremolo)	Marshall Valvestate 8100 (VS8100) head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet (likely G12T-75 speakers)	8
Pull the Plug · riff	Riff · clean	B.C. Rich Stealth (1980s USA model, likely with DiMarzio X2N bridge pickup)	Randall RG100ES solid state head	0
Pull the Plug · solo	Solo · distorted	B.C. Rich Stealth (late 80s/early 90s, likely USA custom shop, as used by Chuck Schuldiner on Leprosy)	Marshall Valvestate 8100	8.5
Sacred Serenity · riff	Riff · distorted	Stealth Custom Guitar (BC Rich Stealth, custom built for Chuck Schuldiner)	Marshall Valvestate 8100 head into Marshall Valvestate Cabinet	8
Sacred Serenity · solo	Solo · distorted	1990s Jackson Soloist (likely SL1 or custom, as used by Chuck Schuldiner on Symbolic album)	Marshall Valvestate 8100 (used by Chuck Schuldiner for Symbolic studio recordings)	8
Scavenger of Human Sorrow · riff	Riff · distorted	1996/1997 B.C. Rich Stealth (USA Custom Shop, neck-through, mahogany body, ebony fretboard)	Marshall Valvestate 8100	8.5
See Through Dreams · riff	Riff · distorted	1980s B.C. Rich Stealth	Randall RG100ES solid-state head	9
Spirit Crusher · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Ken Smith BSR 5-string	Ampeg SVT (likely SVT-CL or SVT-II Pro, era-appropriate)	7.5
Spirit Crusher · solo	Solo · distorted	Stealth Custom Guitars Chuck Schuldiner Signature (Explorer-style, likely with DiMarzio X2N bridge pickup)	Marshall Valvestate VS8100	8.5
Story to Tell · solo	Solo · distorted	BC Rich Stealth (custom, late 90s, likely with DiMarzio X2N bridge pickup)	Marshall Valvestate 8100 (VS100) head	8
Story to Tell · riff	Riff · distorted	Stealth B.C. Rich Chuck Schuldiner Custom	Marshall Valvestate 8100	8.5
Symbolic · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Tobias Basic 5	Ampeg SVT (likely SVT-4 Pro or classic tube SVT, era-appropriate for 1995 studio metal)	7
The Philosopher · solo	Solo · distorted	Stealth Custom Guitars Warrior (Chuck Schuldiner signature, likely used on 'Individual Thought Patterns')	Marshall Valvestate 8100	8.5
To Forgive Is to Suffer · riff	Riff · distorted	1996/1997 Jackson Soloist SL1	Marshall Valvestate 8100	8.5
Together As One · solo	Solo · distorted	Stealth B.C. Rich Chuck Schuldiner Custom	Marshall Valvestate 8100	8.5
Trapped in a Corner · solo	Solo · distorted	1990s Jackson Soloist (likely SL1 or custom shop, as used by Chuck Schuldiner on Individual Thought Patterns)	Marshall Valvestate 8100 (studio recording amp for Individual Thought Patterns era, confirmed by multiple interviews and studio photos)	8.5
Trapped in a Corner · riff	Riff · distorted	Jackson Soloist (likely SL1 or custom, as used by Chuck Schuldiner on Individual Thought Patterns)	Marshall Valvestate 8100	8.5
Within the Mind · riff	Riff · distorted	B.C. Rich Stealth	Randall RG100ES solid-state head	8
Without Judgement · solo	Solo · distorted	Stealth B.C. Rich Chuck Schuldiner Signature (customized B.C. Rich Stealth, likely with DiMarzio X2N pickup)	Marshall Valvestate 8100	8
Without Judgement · riff	Riff · distorted	Stealth Jackson Soloist (custom, black, XN2 bridge pickup)	Marshall Valvestate 8100	8.5
Zero Tolerance · solo	Solo · distorted	Stealth B.C. Rich Chuck Schuldiner Custom	Marshall Valvestate 8100	8.5
Zero Tolerance · riff	Riff · distorted	Stealth B.C. Rich Chuck Schuldiner Signature (custom, neck-through, single humbucker, bridge only)	Marshall Valvestate VS8100 head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet (Celestion speakers)	8.5

Death songs on popular amps

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

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Frequently asked questions

What amp did Death use?

Across 44 researched songs, the amps that come up most are Marshall Valvestate 8100 (25 songs), Randall RG100ES solid-state head (8 songs), Marshall JCM800 2210 (4 songs), Marshall Valvestate VS8100 (2 songs).

What guitar did Death use?

Most often: Stealth B.C. Rich Chuck Schuldiner Custom (5 songs), B.C. Rich Stealth (4 songs), BC Rich Stealth (3 songs), Ibanez S540 Custom (James Murphy's main guitar during 'Individual Thought Patterns' sessions) (1 song).

How do I get Death's tone on my amp?

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