Riff Tone

Can't Even Breathe

Deftones

Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

GuitarESP Stef Carpenter Custom 6-string (early signature model, likely alder body, rosewood board)

AmpADA MP-1 preamp into Marshall 9200 power amp

PickupsSeymour Duncan JB (bridge humbucker)

Amp Settings

gain8.5

bass6

mid5

treble6.5

reverb1

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

fuzzBoss Boss Hyper Fuzz FZ-2

Notes

Studio recording, 1996; confirmed by Stephen Carpenter for this era and album sessions. Not live rig. Effects from rack and select pedals.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivesaturated and aggressivearticulate low-end punchslightly scooped midscrisp treble edgedense, layered distortionminimal ambiencefocused modern metal soundcontrolled feedbackdry, in-your-face mix

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, aggressive palm muting and precise rhythm, with control over high-gain noise and feedback, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.

Sources

Stephen Carpenter Looks Back on Deftones' Breakthrough Album, 'Around the Fur' | Guitar World

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