Riff Tone

Angel's Wings

Social Distortion

Guitarpunk2000s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Deluxe (likely goldtop, as used by Mike Ness on studio recordings in this era)

AmpFender Blackface Bassman (modded, using Bass channel) into Marshall 4x12 cabinet with Celestion Greenbacks

PickupsP-90 single coil pickups (stock or Lollar P-90s, as per Ness's known mods)

Amp Settings

gain6

bass6

mid7

treble6.5

reverb2

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveKlon Klon Centaur (or Klon-type overdrive)

Notes

Studio recording, 2000 (from 'Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll' album). Mike Ness is known for using a Les Paul Deluxe with P-90s into a modded Blackface Bassman head (Bass channel) into a Marshall 4x12 with Greenbacks for Social Distortion recordings in this era. Pedalboard is minimal, typically just a Klon-type overdrive and tuner. No evidence of additional effects for the riff section.

Tone Character(10)

punchy midrange biteclassic punk crunchtight, focused rhythm attackslightly gritty edgeclear note separationwarm, thick chordsarticulate pick attackdynamic response to pickingvintage-inspired overdriveno excessive saturation

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, consistent palm muting and precise chord changes at a moderate tempo, but does not involve advanced techniques or complex rhythms.

Sources

Mike Ness tone (Social Distortion) - The Gear Page Good Lord. Social Distortion has great tones. - The Gear Page Mike Ness | Equipboard

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