Riff Tone

Electric

Boris

Guitarmetal2010s+

Original Gear

Guitar1986 Gibson Les Paul Custom

AmpVintage Orange amplifier (model unspecified, likely OR120 or similar)

PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock, likely 490R/498T or Tim Shaw era)

Amp Settings

gain8.5

bass7.5

mid6.5

treble6.5

reverb1

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

fuzzElk Elk BM Sustainar (Triangle Big Muff clone)

distortionBoss Boss DS-1 Distortion

Notes

Studio recording, circa 2011 (for 'Electric' from the album 'New Album'). Wata is the guitarist for this section. Gear confirmed for studio era by interviews and pedalboard rundowns. The Elk BM fuzz was core to her tone, but by this era, the EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas (her signature) is a direct clone of the Elk BM and is referenced as a replacement in later interviews. For the original recording, the Elk BM was used.

Tone Character(10)

fuzzed-out and saturatedthick and massive low endaggressive and sustainingtextured wall of sounddense and heavyslightly scooped but present midsraw and uncompressedharmonically richsludgy yet articulatehigh output, powerful attack

Difficulty

The riff is not technically complex but requires tight rhythm, control of heavy fuzz, and strong picking dynamics to maintain clarity in a dense, saturated mix.

Sources

Wata: “Even when I’m recording, I’m always imagining the live shows in my head when I’m playing” | Guitar World Rig tour: Boris | MusicRadar Watch Wata from Boris reveal her signal chain secrets in EarthQuaker Devices’ video tour of her pedalboard | MusicRadar Boris Members, Gear & Sound Boris Wields the Hammer of Doom - Premier Guitar

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