Riff Tone
3 Libras
A Perfect Circle
Guitarrock2000s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1990s, Billy Howerdel's main studio guitar for Mer de Noms)
AmpMesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio, clean channel, Mer de Noms era)
PickupsStock Gibson humbuckers (Alnico II/IV, passive, likely 490R/498T or similar)
Amp Settings
gain2.5
bass6
mid7
treble6.5
reverb3
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
chorusUnknown Chorus pedal (model unknown)
delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, 1999-2000. Guitar tuned to C# standard. No evidence of acoustic guitar on main riff studio recording; electric Les Paul confirmed for most of Mer de Noms. No evidence of alternate amps or guitars for this section.
Tone Character(10)
clean and glassylush and atmosphericwarm midrangearticulate arpeggiosslightly ambientsubtle chorus shimmergentle attackopen and airysmooth sustainmelodic clarity
Difficulty
The riff requires accurate finger placement for wide arpeggios, clean picking technique, and careful timing in a compound meter, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.
Sources
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Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (likely 1990s, Billy Howerdel's main studio guitar for Mer de Noms)
AmpMesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio, clean channel, Mer de Noms era)
PickupsStock Gibson humbuckers (Alnico II/IV, passive, likely 490R/498T or similar)
Amp Settings
gain2.5
bass6
mid7
treble6.5
reverb3
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
chorusUnknown Chorus pedal (model unknown)
delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, 1999-2000. Guitar tuned to C# standard. No evidence of acoustic guitar on main riff studio recording; electric Les Paul confirmed for most of Mer de Noms. No evidence of alternate amps or guitars for this section.
Tone Character(10)
clean and glassylush and atmosphericwarm midrangearticulate arpeggiosslightly ambientsubtle chorus shimmergentle attackopen and airysmooth sustainmelodic clarity
Difficulty
The riff requires accurate finger placement for wide arpeggios, clean picking technique, and careful timing in a compound meter, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.
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