Riff Tone

Cemetery Gates (Live from Foundations Forum Metal Convention, 1990)

Pantera

Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

GuitarDean ML (likely 1980s/early 1990s, Dimebag's main guitar at the time)

AmpRandall RG100ES (solid-state head, Dimebag's primary amp for Cowboys From Hell era, confirmed for both studio and live in 1990)

PickupsBill Lawrence L-500XL (bridge position, high output humbucker)

Amp Settings

gain8

bass6

mid4

treble7.5

reverb0

presence7

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Live performance at Foundations Forum Metal Convention, 1990. Dimebag used his signature Dean ML with Bill Lawrence L-500XL bridge pickup into a Randall RG100ES. No evidence of alternate amp or guitar for this live riff section. Effects and settings inferred from Cowboys From Hell era and live footage.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivescooped midsaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationrazor-sharp pick attackchunky low endcrisp, cutting highsarticulate note separationminimal ambiencefocused, modern metal tone

Difficulty

The riff requires advanced palm muting, tight alternate picking, and precise rhythm synchronization at a medium-fast tempo, making it challenging for most players.

Sources

Get Dimebag Darrell’s Tone from Pantera’s ‘Cowboys from Hell’ on Your iPhone or iPad with Amplitube for iOS | Guitar World Pantera – Cowboys from Hell - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard IK Multimedia Announces New Dimebag Darrell CFH Collection for AmpliTube | Guitar World

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