Riff Tone

Aztec Two-Step

Meshuggah

Guitarmetal2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarIbanez M8M Meshuggah Signature 8-string

AmpFortin Meshuggah (Jose-modded Marshall 2204 clone, custom for Meshuggah; also emulated by Fortin Meshuggah Preamp/Distortion pedal)

PickupsLundgren M8 humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain9

bass6

mid4.5

treble7

reverb0

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

distortionFortin Fortin Meshuggah Preamp/Distortion

Notes

Studio recording, 2016 era (The Violent Sleep of Reason). Meshuggah's riff tones in this era are based on the Fortin Meshuggah amp, a Jose-modded Marshall 2204 clone, with Lundgren M8 pickups in the Ibanez M8M. No evidence of additional pedals for the main riff section; distortion and tightness come from amp/preamp. Live and studio rigs are nearly identical for rhythm tones in this era.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationclear note separationdjenty attackcomplex harmonic contentdry and immediateno ambience or reverbfocused low endarticulate pick attack

Difficulty

The riff requires advanced rhythmic precision, tight palm muting, and mastery of complex polyrhythms on an 8-string guitar, making it highly challenging for most players.

Sources

Meshuggah Rig Rundown: Thordendal, Hagstrom, Lovgren - Premier Guitar What gear did they use on each album? : r/Meshuggah Fortin Amps Meshuggah Signature PreAmp / Distortion - What To Know & Where To Buy | Equipboard “Imagine the roaring intensity of Meshuggah’s live performances echoing through your rig”: Meshuggah’s world-ending guitar tones are now available in a signature pedal | Guitar World

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