Riff Tone

Engine no. 9

Deftones

Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

GuitarESP M-I Custom (early 90s, drop-tuned, likely stock pickups)

AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (studio recording, 1995)

PickupsSeymour Duncan SH-6 Distortion (bridge humbucker, likely stock for this era)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass5

mid6

treble7.5

reverb0

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

distortionUnknown Distortion pedal (RAT-style, model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording for 'Adrenaline' (1995). Guitarist Stephen Carpenter used an ESP M-I Custom with a single bridge humbucker, into a Marshall JCM800 2203 head. No evidence of additional effects or pedals except distortion. No chorus or modulation effects present. Settings estimated based on forum suggestions and typical Deftones/Carpenter rig for this album.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationchunky low endscooped but present midsdry, in-your-face attackarticulate riff clarityminimal ambiencemodern metal crunchfocused, heavy rhythm

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, fast palm muting and aggressive picking, with precise rhythm and articulation to match the percussive, high-gain tone.

Sources

Vox amp settings for Deftones? - forum topic - Ultimate Guitar Question for guitarists what should the chorus settings be for Engine ...deftones guitar tone : r/guitarpedals - Reddit How do i make my amp settings sound like deftones song ... - Reddit

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