Guitar tone · rock, metal

Kyuss guitar tone: gear & amp settings

The gear and amp settings behind 7 Kyuss songs, researched from rig rundowns, interviews and gear forums. The rig that shows up most: Ovation Ultra GP into Tube Works RT-2100 head into Ampeg SVT 8x10 bass cabinet.

Guitars Kyuss used

Ovation Ultra GP3 songs
Epiphone Dot (semi-hollowbody, likely stock pickups)1 song
Rickenbacker 40011 song
Epiphone Dot1 song
Epiphone Dot (semi-hollowbody, likely early 90s Korean model)1 song
1990s Ovation Ultra GP1 song

Amps Kyuss used

Tube Works RT-2100 head into Ampeg SVT 8x10 bass cabinet1 song
Ampeg VT-40 (tube combo, run into Ampeg 8x10 bass cab)1 song
Ampeg V-4 (1970s model, modded for higher gain)1 song
Ampeg SVT (likely vintage 1970s/early 90s reissue, 8x10 cab)1 song
Ampeg VT-401 song
Tube Works RT-2100 Head into Ampeg SVT-810AV bass cabinet1 song
Ampeg VT-40 (1970s tube combo, used as primary amp for studio recording)1 song
Ampeg V-4 (1970s model, cranked)1 song

8 Kyuss tones

Song	Part	Guitar	Amp	Gain
(Beginning of What's About to Happen) Hwy 74 · riff	Riff · distorted	Epiphone Dot	Ampeg VT-40	8
Green Machine · riff	Riff · distorted	Epiphone Dot (semi-hollowbody, likely stock pickups)	Ampeg VT-40 (tube combo, run into Ampeg 8x10 bass cab)	8
Demon Cleaner · riff	Riff · distorted	Ovation Ultra GP	Tube Works RT-2100 Head into Ampeg SVT-810AV bass cabinet	8
Demon Cleaner (Edit Version) · riff	Riff · distorted	Ovation Ultra GP	Ampeg V-4 (1970s model, modded for higher gain)	8
Gardenia · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Rickenbacker 4001	Ampeg SVT (likely vintage 1970s/early 90s reissue, 8x10 cab)	7
Gardenia · riff	Riff · distorted	1990s Ovation Ultra GP	Ampeg V-4 (1970s model, cranked)	9
Spaceship Landing · riff	Riff · distorted	Ovation Ultra GP	Tube Works RT-2100 head into Ampeg SVT 8x10 bass cabinet	8.5
Supa Scoopa and Mighty Scoop · riff	Riff · distorted	Epiphone Dot (semi-hollowbody, likely early 90s Korean model)	Ampeg VT-40 (1970s tube combo, used as primary amp for studio recording)	8

Get Kyuss's tone on your gear

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

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Frequently asked questions

What amp did Kyuss use?

Across 7 researched songs, the amps that come up most are Tube Works RT-2100 head into Ampeg SVT 8x10 bass cabinet (1 song), Ampeg VT-40 (tube combo, run into Ampeg 8x10 bass cab) (1 song), Ampeg V-4 (1970s model, modded for higher gain) (1 song), Ampeg SVT (likely vintage 1970s/early 90s reissue, 8x10 cab) (1 song).

What guitar did Kyuss use?

Most often: Ovation Ultra GP (3 songs), Epiphone Dot (semi-hollowbody, likely stock pickups) (1 song), Rickenbacker 4001 (1 song), Epiphone Dot (1 song).

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

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