Riff Tone

Blackened Waters

Black Label Society

Guitarmetal2000s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (likely Zakk Wylde signature, EMG-loaded)

AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (likely with 4x12 cabinet, studio recording)

PickupsEMG 81 (bridge), EMG 85 (neck) active humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain8.5

bass6

mid5

treble7

reverb1

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

boostUnknown Overdrive/Boost pedal (model unknown, likely MXR ZW-44 Overdrive or Boss SD-1)

noise_gateUnknown Noise gate (model unknown, likely ISP Decimator or Boss NS-2)

Notes

Studio recording, likely 2000s era. Zakk Wylde is known for using his signature Les Paul Custom with EMG pickups and Marshall JCM800 amps for Black Label Society riff tones. No direct source confirms the exact gear for 'Blackened Waters', but this is consistent with all available evidence for BLS riff sections in this era.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationchunky rhythmarticulate pick attackcompressed and focusedmodern metal clarityheavy low endscooped but present midsminimal ambience

Difficulty

The riff requires fast, accurate alternate picking and tight palm muting at high gain, demanding both technical precision and rhythmic discipline typical of modern metal rhythm guitar.

Sources

50 Greatest Guitar Albums

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