Riff Tone
A Question of Heaven
Iced Earth
Guitarmetal1990s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (mid-80s, likely 1986, black finish)
AmpMesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (early/mid-90s, rackmount version likely used in studio)
PickupsEMG 81 (bridge, active humbucker)
Amp Settings
gain8.5
bass6
mid4.5
treble6.5
reverb1
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1996 album 'The Dark Saga'. Jon Schaffer was known for using a Gibson Les Paul Custom with EMG 81 pickups into a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier for the band's signature rhythm tone during this era. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars/amps for this specific song's riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationarticulate downpickingcrushing low endrazor-sharp attackcompressed and focusedminimal ambiencemodern metal clarity
Difficulty
The riff section requires advanced right-hand stamina and accuracy for rapid, tight downpicking and palm muting at a medium-fast tempo, with complex rhythm changes typical of Iced Earth's style.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1990s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (mid-80s, likely 1986, black finish)
AmpMesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (early/mid-90s, rackmount version likely used in studio)
PickupsEMG 81 (bridge, active humbucker)
Amp Settings
gain8.5
bass6
mid4.5
treble6.5
reverb1
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1996 album 'The Dark Saga'. Jon Schaffer was known for using a Gibson Les Paul Custom with EMG 81 pickups into a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier for the band's signature rhythm tone during this era. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars/amps for this specific song's riff section.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationarticulate downpickingcrushing low endrazor-sharp attackcompressed and focusedminimal ambiencemodern metal clarity
Difficulty
The riff section requires advanced right-hand stamina and accuracy for rapid, tight downpicking and palm muting at a medium-fast tempo, with complex rhythm changes typical of Iced Earth's style.