Riff Tone

Cowboys from hell

Unknown Artist

Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

GuitarDean ML

AmpRandall RG100H (solid-state head)

PickupsBill Lawrence L-500XL (bridge position, or Seymour Duncan Dimebucker in later years)

Amp Settings

gain8.5

bass6

mid3.5

treble7.5

reverb0.5

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer (used as clean boost)

noise_gateUnknown Noise Gate (model unknown, likely Rocktron Hush or MXR Noise Gate)

Notes

Studio recording, 1990. Dimebag Darrell used the Dean ML with Bill Lawrence L-500XL bridge pickup into a Randall RG100H for the rhythm/riff section. Peavey amps were not used until later albums. Pedals included a Tube Screamer as a boost and a noise gate. Fuzz boost sometimes mentioned, but not always confirmed for riff. Effects loop used for noise gate. Cabinet: Randall 4x12 with Celestion Vintage 30s. Settings and gear confirmed by multiple sources including Dime's tech and Amplitube CFH Collection.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussivescooped midsrazor-sharp attackaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationarticulate note separationcrushing low endminimal ambiencedry, focused rhythmbright, cutting treble

Difficulty

The riff requires fast, accurate alternate picking with aggressive palm muting and precise rhythm, making it challenging for most players.

Sources

Amp Settings for Cowboys from Hell by Pantera (gear and tone tips) - Guitar Chalk Get Dimebag Darrell’s Tone from Pantera’s ‘Cowboys from Hell’ on Your iPhone or iPad with Amplitube for iOS | Guitar World

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