Guitar tone · metal, Groove metal

Pantera guitar tone: gear & amp settings

The gear and amp settings behind 56 Pantera songs, researched from rig rundowns, interviews and gear forums. The rig that shows up most: Dean ML into Randall RG100ES solid-state head.

Guitars Pantera used

Dean ML6 songs
Washburn Dime 333 Dimebag Darrell Signature5 songs
Washburn Dime 3334 songs
Washburn Dime 333 Dimebolt3 songs
Dean ML 'Dean From Hell'3 songs
Dean ML (likely 1981 Dean ML Standard, as used by Dimebag Darrell on Vulgar Display of Power)2 songs
Dean ML (likely 1981 model, as used by Dimebag Darrell in studio)2 songs
Dean ML (likely 1981 model, used by Dimebag Darrell on Vulgar Display of Power)1 song

Amps Pantera used

Randall RG100ES solid-state head19 songs
Randall RG-100ES solid-state head18 songs
Randall RG100ES9 songs
Randall RG100ES Solid State Head6 songs
Randall RG-100ES Solid State Head3 songs
Randall RG100H solid-state head3 songs
Ampeg SVT 4-Pro2 songs
Randall RG-100ES2 songs

111 Pantera tones

Song	Part	Guitar	Amp	Gain
Floods · solo	Solo · distorted	Washburn Dime 333 (Dimebolt finish, as used in studio for The Great Southern Trendkill era)	Randall RG-100ES solid-state head	7.5
Floods · riff	Riff · distorted	Washburn Dime 333	Randall RG-100ES solid-state head	8.5
Walk · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (likely 1981 Dean ML Standard, as used by Dimebag Darrell on Vulgar Display of Power)	Randall RG-100ES solid-state head into Randall 4x12 cabinet (likely with Celestion G12-65 speakers)	8.5
Cowboys from Hell · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (likely 1981 Dean ML or Dean From Hell)	Randall RG-100ES	8.5
Cemetery Gates · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (likely 1981 model, custom finish, Bill Lawrence L-500XL bridge pickup)	Randall RG100ES (solid-state head) into Randall 412JB cabinet	9
I'm Broken · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (likely 1981 model, blueburst finish)	Randall RG-100ES solid-state head	8.5
Domination · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (likely 1981 model, custom finish, as used by Dimebag Darrell on Cowboys from Hell)	Randall RG-100ES solid-state head	8.5
Domination · solo	Solo · distorted	Dean ML (likely 1981 Dean ML Standard, as used by Dimebag Darrell on Cowboys From Hell)	Randall RG-100ES solid-state head	9.5
Floods · riff	Riff · clean	Washburn Dime 333 Dimebag Darrell Signature	Randall RG-100ES Solid State Head	0
Cemetary Gates · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (likely 1981 model, as used by Dimebag Darrell on Cowboys from Hell)	Randall RG100ES solid-state amplifier	8.5
Cemetery Gates · solo	Solo · distorted	Dean ML (likely 1980s/early 1990s, possibly Washburn 333 Dimebag Darrell Signature for this era)	Randall RG100ES (solid-state head, studio recording, 1990)	8.5
Mouth for War · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (likely 1981 model, used by Dimebag Darrell on Vulgar Display of Power)	Randall RG-100ES solid-state head	9.5
5 Minutes Alone · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (likely 1981 model, as used by Dimebag Darrell on 'Far Beyond Driven')	Randall RG-100ES solid-state head	9
This Love · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (likely 1981 or early 90s, custom finish)	Randall RG100ES solid-state head	9
Cowboys from Hell · solo	Solo · distorted	Washburn 333 Dimebag Darrell Signature (aka 'Dime Slime')	Randall RG100ES (solid-state head, 1980s/early 1990s rackmount version)	8.5
Drag the Waters · riff	Riff · distorted	Washburn Dime 333 (Dimebolt finish, likely with Bill Lawrence L-500XL bridge pickup)	Randall RG-100ES (solid state head, carpeted version)	8.5
Hollow · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (likely Dime Slime or similar, 1992 studio model)	Randall RG100ES solid-state head	7.5
Domination (Live from Monsters In Moscow Festival, 1991) · solo	Solo · distorted	Dean ML (likely Dimebag Darrell signature or custom, as used live in 1991)	Randall RG-100ES or RG100HT solid-state head (as confirmed for Cowboys From Hell era live and studio)	9
Domination (Live from Monsters In Moscow Festival, 1991) · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (likely the 'Dean From Hell' or similar, as used by Dimebag Darrell in 1991 live performances)	Randall RG100HT (solid-state head, rackmount, as confirmed by Dimebag for this era/live shows)	8.5
Revolution Is My Name · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (likely custom, Dimebag Darrell signature or Washburn era, with Bill Lawrence L-500XL bridge pickup)	Randall RG100ES solid-state head	8.5
Cemetery Gates · riff	Riff · clean	Dean ML (likely 1980s/early 1990s, custom or standard model)	Randall RG100ES solid-state head	0
This Love · riff	Riff · clean	Dean ML (likely 1981 model, as used by Dimebag Darrell in studio)	Randall RG-100ES solid-state head	0
Floods · solo	Solo · clean	Washburn Dime 333 (Dimebag signature, likely blue or sunburst finish, as used on The Great Southern Trendkill sessions)	Randall RG100ES solid-state head	0
Planet Caravan · riff	Riff · clean	Washburn Dime 333 Dimebag Darrell Signature	Randall Century 200 (C200) Solid State Head	0
10s · solo	Solo · distorted	Washburn Dime 333 Dimebolt	Randall RG-100ES solid-state head	8.5
Hard Lines, Sunken Cheeks · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (likely 1994-1995, custom shop, Bill Lawrence L-500XL bridge pickup)	Randall RG100ES solid-state head	8.5
The Art of Shredding · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (likely 1981 model, custom finish, as used on Cowboys from Hell sessions)	Randall RG100HT (rackmount solid-state head, as confirmed by Dimebag for Cowboys from Hell recording)	8
Walk · solo	Solo · distorted	Dean ML (likely 1981 or 1982, custom, with Bill Lawrence L500XL pickup)	Randall RG-100ES (solid-state head, 1980s model, used for Vulgar Display of Power studio recording)	9
I'm Broken · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Charvel (late 1980s) and briefly Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay during Vulgar Display of Power era; likely Charvel used on Far Beyond Driven	Likely Ampeg SVT (SVT II Pro or SVT‑4) as per tone approximations	8.5
By Demons Be Driven · riff	Riff · distorted	Washburn Dime 333	Randall RG100ES solid-state head	9.5
Cat Scratch Fever · riff	Riff · distorted	Washburn Dime 333	Randall RG100ES (likely), possible early prototype of Randall Warhead	8
Cemetary Gates · solo	Solo · distorted	Washburn Dime 333 (Dimebolt finish, Floyd Rose tremolo, Bill Lawrence L-500XL bridge pickup)	Randall RG100ES solid-state head	9
Cemetery Gates · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Charvel Fusion acoustic bass (Kramer Ferrington acoustic bass used for intro)	Ampeg SVT (likely Blue Line SVT)	7.5
Cowboys from Hell (Live from Monsters In Moscow Festival, 1991) · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (likely 1981 model, as used by Dimebag Darrell in 1991 live shows)	Randall RG-100ES solid-state head	8.5
I'm Broken · solo	Solo · distorted	Washburn Dime 333 Dimebag Darrell Signature	Randall RG100ES Solid State Head	9.5
It Makes Them Disappear (Instrumental Rough Mix) · riff	Riff · distorted	Washburn Stealth 3ST	Randall Warhead	8.5
Mouth for War · solo	Solo · distorted	Dean ML (likely 1981 Dean ML Standard, as used by Dimebag Darrell on Vulgar Display of Power)	Randall RG100ES solid-state head	8.5
Revolution Is My Name (Radio Edit) [2020 Remaster] · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (likely Dime-O-Flame or Dime Slime, as used by Dimebag Darrell in late Pantera era)	Randall Warhead X2 (solid state head, studio recording era)	9.5
slaughtered · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML 'Dean From Hell'	Randall RG100ES solid-state head	9
The Art of Shredding (Live from Foundations Forum Metal Convention, 1990) · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (likely 1980s/early 90s, custom or standard, as used by Dimebag Darrell in 1990 live performances)	Randall RG-100ES solid-state head	8
the great southern trendkill · riff	Riff · distorted	Washburn Dimebag Darrell Signature ML (Roswell Camo ML, likely with Bill Lawrence L-500XL bridge pickup)	Randall RG-100ES (solid-state head)	9
the sleep · solo	Solo · distorted	Dean ML (likely 1980s/early 1990s, Bill Lawrence L-500XL bridge pickup)	Randall RG100ES (solid-state head)	8
The Sleep · riff	Riff · distorted	Washburn Dime 333	Randall RG-100ES head	8
Yesterday Don't Mean Shit (Instrumental Rough Mix) · solo	Solo · distorted	Dean ML (likely CFH or custom, as used by Dimebag Darrell on Reinventing the Steel)	Randall RG100ES solid-state head	8.5
10's · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (likely Dime Slime or similar, as used by Dimebag Darrell in the 1990s studio recordings)	Randall Century 200 solid-state head	8.5
10's · solo	Solo · distorted	Washburn Dime 333 Dimebag Darrell Signature	Randall RG-100ES Solid State Head	8.5
10s · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (likely Dimebag Darrell signature or Washburn Dime 333 ML, as used in studio in 1995-96)	Randall Century 200 (solid-state head, studio recording)	9.5
10s · riff	Riff · clean	Washburn Dime 333 (Dimebolt finish, as seen in studio photos from 'The Great Southern Trendkill' era)	Randall Century 200 solid-state head (studio recording, 1995-1996)	0
5 Minutes Alone · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Spector NS-2 (early 90s model, likely Euro or US, active electronics)	Ampeg SVT-II Pro (tube head, classic 90s Pantera studio rig, likely with Ampeg 8x10 cab)	7
5 Minutes Alone · clean	Clean · clean	Spector NS-2 (early 90s, likely Euro or Kramer-era USA model)	Ampeg SVT-II Pro (tube head) with Ampeg 8x10 cabinet	0
5 Minutes Alone · solo	Solo · distorted	Washburn Dime 333 Dimebag Darrell Signature	Randall RG100ES Solid State Head	9.5
A New Level · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (likely 1981 model or similar, as used by Dimebag Darrell on Vulgar Display of Power)	Randall RG100ES solid-state head	9
Avoid the Light · solo	Solo · distorted	Dean ML (likely Dimebag Darrell signature or Washburn Dime 333, era-appropriate)	Randall RG100ES solid-state head	8
Avoid the Light · riff	Riff · clean	Dean ML (likely 1981 Dean From Hell or similar, with Bill Lawrence L-500XL bridge pickup)	Randall RG100ES	0
Cemetary Gates · riff	Riff · clean	Dean ML (likely 1980s/early 1990s, Bill Lawrence L-500XL bridge pickup, Seymour Duncan '59 neck pickup, Floyd Rose tremolo)	Randall RG100ES solid-state head	0
Cemetery Gates (Live from Foundations Forum Metal Convention, 1990) · solo	Solo · distorted	Dean From Hell (1981 blue, original)	Randall RG100H (solid-state head, live 1990)	8.5
Cemetery Gates (Live from Foundations Forum Metal Convention, 1990) · solo	Solo · clean	Dean ML (likely 1980s/early 1990s, Bill Lawrence L-500XL bridge pickup, Floyd Rose tremolo)	Randall RG100ES solid-state head	0
Cemetery Gates (Live from Foundations Forum Metal Convention, 1990) · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (likely 1980s/early 1990s, Dimebag's main guitar at the time)	Randall RG100ES (solid-state head, Dimebag's primary amp for Cowboys From Hell era, confirmed for both studio and live in 1990)	8
Cowboys from Hell · riff	Riff · clean	Dean ML (likely 1980s/early 1990s, Bill Lawrence L500XL bridge pickup)	Randall RG100ES solid-state head into Randall 412JB 4x12 cabinet	5
Cowboys from Hell · clean	Clean · clean	Charvel 1988 Bass	Ampeg SVT (likely SVT-II or SVT-4 Pro, classic tube head)	0
Cowboys from Hell (Demo) · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML Standard (likely early 80s, possibly sunburst or black finish, as used by Dimebag Darrell on demos pre-1990)	Randall RG-100ES solid-state head	8.5
Cowboys from Hell (Demo) · solo	Solo · distorted	Dean ML Standard (likely early 80s, with Bill Lawrence L-500XL bridge pickup)	Randall RG-100ES solid-state head	8.5
Cowboys from Hell (Live from Donington, 1994) · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (likely 1981 or 1994 Dimebag signature, with Bill Lawrence L-500XL bridge pickup)	Randall RG100ES Solid State Head (live rig, 1994)	8.5
Death Rattle (Instrumental Rough Mix) · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML 'Dean From Hell'	Randall RG100ES	9.5
Domination · riff	Riff · clean	Dean ML (likely 1981 model, as used by Dimebag Darrell in studio)	Randall RG-100ES solid-state head	0
Domination (Live from Monsters In Moscow Festival, 1991) · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Spector NS-2 (likely, or Spector Euro 4)	Ampeg SVT (likely SVT-II or SVT-4 Pro, classic Ampeg fridge 8x10 cab)	7.5
Domination / Hollow (Live from Donington, 1994) · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (Dimebag Darrell signature, likely 1980s/early 1990s spec, with Bill Lawrence L-500XL bridge pickup)	Randall RG100ES Solid State Head	8.5
Drag the Waters · clean	Clean · clean	Spector Euro 4	Ampeg SVT 4-Pro	0
Drag the Waters · riff	Riff · clean	Dean ML (likely brown tobacco-burst or blue '81 Dean ML, depending on tuning)	Randall RG-100ES solid-state head	0
Drag the Waters · solo	Solo · distorted	Washburn Dime 333 Dimebolt	Randall RG-100ES (carpeted head, early 90s model)	9.5
Electric Funeral · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (likely 1981 model, custom finish, as used by Dimebag Darrell on covers in the 1990s)	Randall RG100H solid-state head	8.5
Electric Funeral · solo	Solo · distorted	Dean ML 'Dean From Hell' (likely, as used by Dimebag Darrell on Pantera covers in the 1990s)	Randall RG100H solid-state head	8.5
Floods · clean	Clean · clean	Spector NS-2	Ampeg SVT (likely SVT-II or SVT-CL, era-appropriate for Pantera studio use)	0
Floods · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Unknown	Unknown	7.5
Floods outro · riff	Riff · clean	Gibson Les Paul Standard (borrowed for session, as per Dimebag's request)	Unknown clean amp (Dimebag did not have his usual rig; amp model not specified in sources, likely a studio clean amp)	0
Floods outro · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML	Randall RG100ES	7.5
Hard Lines, Sunken Cheeks · solo	Solo · distorted	Dean ML (likely 1981 model, as used on 'Far Beyond Driven')	Randall RG100ES solid-state head	9.5
Hellbound (Instrumental Rough Mix) · riff	Riff · distorted	Washburn Dime Slime ML (likely, as used on 'Reinventing the Steel' sessions)	Randall RG100H solid-state head	9
Hollow · solo	Solo · distorted	Washburn Dime 333 Dimebolt	Randall RG-100ES	8
I'll Cast a Shadow (Instrumental Rough Mix) · riff	Riff · distorted	Washburn Dime 333 (Dimebolt finish, Floyd Rose, Bill Lawrence L-500XL bridge pickup)	Randall Century 200 head with Randall 4x12 cabinet	9
I'll Cast a Shadow (Radio Edit) · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (Dimebag Darrell signature, likely custom shop or USA ML, as used on 'Reinventing the Steel')	Randall Century 200 (main amp for rhythm on 'Reinventing the Steel')	8.5
I'm Broken · riff	Riff · clean	Washburn 333 Dimebag Darrell Signature	Randall RG100ES Solid State Head	0
I'm Broken · clean	Clean · clean	Spector (likely Spector NS‑2 or similar)	Ampeg SVT (SVT‑4 Pro head with 8×10 cabinet)	0
Message In Blood · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML	Randall RG100ES	9.5
Mouth for War · clean	Clean · clean	Spector NS-2 (early 90s, likely Euro 4 or US NS-2)	Ampeg SVT (likely SVT-II or SVT-4 Pro, classic tube head)	0
Mouth for War · riff	Riff · clean	Dean ML (likely 1981 model, as used by Dimebag Darrell on Vulgar Display of Power)	Randall RG100ES solid-state head	0
New Level · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML	Randall RG100ES	9
No Good (Attack the Radical) · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Spector Euro 4 (EMG PJX pickups, active electronics)	Ampeg SVT 4-Pro	7
No Good (Attack the Radical) · clean	Clean · clean	Spector NS-2 (likely Euro 4 or US model, with EMG PJ pickups)	Ampeg SVT (likely SVT-II or SVT-4 Pro, classic Ampeg tube head)	0
Piss · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (likely Dimebag Darrell signature or Washburn Dime 333, era-correct for 1992 studio recording)	Randall RG100ES (solid-state head, Dimebag's main studio amp for Vulgar Display of Power era)	8.5
Planet Caravan · solo	Solo · clean	Dean ML (blue ’81 Dean with Kiss stickers) and acoustic guitar (model unspecified), double-tracked	Randall solid-state amplifier (likely RG100ES or Warhead, as per Dimebag's 1994 studio rig)	0
Primal Concrete Sledge · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean Dimebag Concrete Sledge ML (reversed headstock)	Randall RG-100ES solid-state head	9
Psycho Holiday · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (reverse headstock, likely 'Concrete Sledge' ML)	Randall RG100ES solid-state head	8.5
Psycho Holiday · solo	Solo · distorted	Dean ML - Reverse Headstock (Concrete Sledge ML)	Randall RG100ES Solid State Head	8.5
Psycho Holiday (Live from Monsters In Moscow Festival, 1991) · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML - Reverse Headstock	Randall RG-100ES Solid State Head	8.5
Revolution Is My Name (Instrumental Rough Mix) · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean Dimebag Dime O Flame ML	Randall Warhead 2CH 300 Watt Amp Head	9.5
Rise · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML	Randall RG100ES	8
The Art of Shredding (Demo) · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (likely 1980s/early 1990s, Bill Lawrence L-500XL bridge pickup, as used by Dimebag Darrell on Cowboys from Hell era)	Randall RG-100ES (solid-state head, as used on Cowboys from Hell and demo sessions)	8
The great southern trend kill · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML	Randall RG100ES	8.5
the great southern trendkill · solo	Solo · distorted	Washburn Dime 333 (Dimebolt finish) or Washburn ML Prototype	Randall RG100ES (solid-state head), with Furman PQ-3 Parametric EQ in front	9.5
The Sleep · riff	Riff · clean	Dean ML (likely 1980s/early 1990s, Bill Lawrence L-500XL bridge pickup, stock neck pickup)	Randall RG-100ES solid-state head	0
The Sleep (Demo) · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (likely prototype or early production, as used by Dimebag Darrell in late 1980s demos)	Randall RG100ES solid state head	8.5
The Will to Survive (Demo) · solo	Solo · distorted	Dean ML 'Dean From Hell'	Randall RG100ES	8
The Will to Survive (Demo) · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML	Randall RG100ES	9
This Love · solo	Solo · distorted	Dean ML (likely Dimebag Darrell signature or custom, as used in Vulgar Display of Power era)	Randall RG-100ES solid-state head	8
This Love · solo	Solo · clean	Dean ML (likely 1990s, custom or Standard, as used by Dimebag Darrell in studio)	Randall RG100ES Solid State Head	0
This Love (Live from Donington, 1994) · riff	Riff · distorted	Dean ML (Dimebag Darrell signature, likely custom shop or original ML)	Randall RG100ES solid-state head	8.5
Walk · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Fernandes Telecaster-shaped bass (video appearance) / Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay (tour use)	Unknown (some speculation: Music Man StingRay into Ampeg SVT or similar)	7.5
Walk · riff	Riff · clean	Dean ML (likely 'Dean From Hell' or tobacco-burst ML for D tuning)	Randall Century 200 (studio, 1992 Vulgar Display of Power era)	0
Walk (Live from Donington, 1994) · solo	Solo · distorted	Dean ML (Far Beyond Driven tobacco burst, likely with Bill Lawrence L-500XL bridge pickup)	Randall Century 200 (RG100ES or Century 200 head, solid state)	8.5
Yesterday Don't Mean Shit (Instrumental Rough Mix) · riff	Riff · distorted	Washburn Dime 333 (Dimebolt finish, Bill Lawrence L-500XL bridge pickup, Seymour Duncan '59 neck pickup)	Randall RG100ES (solid-state head) with Furman PQ-4 Parametric EQ and MXR 6-Band EQ in loop	9

Pantera songs on popular amps

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

Get Pantera's tone on your gear

Pick any Pantera 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 Pantera use?

Across 56 researched songs, the amps that come up most are Randall RG100ES solid-state head (19 songs), Randall RG-100ES solid-state head (18 songs), Randall RG100ES (9 songs), Randall RG100ES Solid State Head (6 songs).

What guitar did Pantera use?

Most often: Dean ML (6 songs), Washburn Dime 333 Dimebag Darrell Signature (5 songs), Washburn Dime 333 (4 songs), Washburn Dime 333 Dimebolt (3 songs).

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

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