Riff Tone

Born to Kill

Social Distortion

Guitarpunk2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Deluxe (Goldtop, 1970s, with P-90 pickups)

AmpFender Bassman (blackface-era, modified, into Marshall 4x10 cab)

PickupsGibson P-90 single-coil

Amp Settings

gain6.5

bass6.5

mid6.5

treble7

reverb1

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveBoss Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive

Notes

Studio recording, 2024. Mike Ness uses a cranked, wattage-reduced blackface Fender Bassman into Marshall 4x10 cabs. Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive is used as the only pedal boost. No evidence of additional pedals or effects for the riff section. Settings are for studio recording, not live.

Tone Character(10)

pushed, gritty overdriveclassic rock crunchold-school rockabilly snarlnatural tube compressionbiting and presentround and consistent across the necknot shrill in upper registerhonest, stripped-down rigmid-forward punchtight, urgent riff feel

Difficulty

The riff requires solid punk rhythm technique with fast, aggressive downstrokes and tight palm muting, but does not involve complex chord voicings or advanced techniques.

Sources

Social Distortion Amp Settings - Guitar Chalk Mike Ness | Equipboard

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