Riff Tone
Elephants
Them Crooked Vultures
Guitarrock2000s
Original Gear
GuitarMaton MS500
AmpGorilla GG-20 practice amp (studio recording, as referenced for TCV sessions)
PickupsMaton MS500 stock humbucker (bridge), single coil (neck)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb1.5
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
wahUnknown Wah pedal (left in cocked position, model unknown)
fuzzFulltone Fuzz/Octave Fuzz pedal (likely Fulltone Ultimate Octave or similar)
Notes
Studio recording, 2009. Josh Homme is known for using small, unusual combo amps in the studio for Them Crooked Vultures, often Gorilla practice amps. Guitar is most likely the Maton MS500, a favorite for Homme's riff work in this era. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this specific riff section.
Tone Character(10)
massive and thickfuzzy and saturatedmid-forward and nasaltight and percussivecompressed and aggressiveslightly filtered (cocked-wah)raw and unpolishedhuge, wall-of-sound riffsynth-like sustainnot scooped, strong mids
Difficulty
The riff requires advanced rhythmic precision, muting, and control over a saturated, fuzzy tone. The shifting time signatures and syncopation add complexity, making it challenging for most players.
Sources
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Original Gear
GuitarMaton MS500
AmpGorilla GG-20 practice amp (studio recording, as referenced for TCV sessions)
PickupsMaton MS500 stock humbucker (bridge), single coil (neck)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb1.5
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
wahUnknown Wah pedal (left in cocked position, model unknown)
fuzzFulltone Fuzz/Octave Fuzz pedal (likely Fulltone Ultimate Octave or similar)
Notes
Studio recording, 2009. Josh Homme is known for using small, unusual combo amps in the studio for Them Crooked Vultures, often Gorilla practice amps. Guitar is most likely the Maton MS500, a favorite for Homme's riff work in this era. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this specific riff section.
Tone Character(10)
massive and thickfuzzy and saturatedmid-forward and nasaltight and percussivecompressed and aggressiveslightly filtered (cocked-wah)raw and unpolishedhuge, wall-of-sound riffsynth-like sustainnot scooped, strong mids
Difficulty
The riff requires advanced rhythmic precision, muting, and control over a saturated, fuzzy tone. The shifting time signatures and syncopation add complexity, making it challenging for most players.
More Them Crooked Vultures tones
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