Riff Tone
Eternal Idol
Black Sabbath
Guitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson SG Custom (likely 1965 or early 1970s, as used by Tony Iommi in this era)
AmpLaney AOR Pro Tube Lead 100 (studio, late 1980s era, as used on 'Eternal Idol')
PickupsJohn Birch custom humbuckers (Iommi signature or Superflux, as used in late 1980s studio recordings)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
mid6.5
treble7
reverb1.5
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
boostUnknown Treble Booster (model unknown, likely Dallas Rangemaster or studio equivalent)
Notes
Studio recording, 1986-1987. Tony Iommi switched to Laney amps in the late 1970s and used them throughout the 1980s. For 'Eternal Idol', he used a Gibson SG with custom pickups and Laney AOR heads. No evidence of Marshall use for this album. No evidence of live/tour gear for this specific recording.
Tone Character(10)
tight and saturatedhigh-gain, compressedarticulate palm-muted chugsthick, mid-heavymodern 1980s metal voicingclear note separationminimal ambienceaggressive pick attackcontrolled feedbackdry studio sound
Difficulty
The riff requires tight palm muting and precise alternate picking to maintain clarity under high gain, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast tempo.
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson SG Custom (likely 1965 or early 1970s, as used by Tony Iommi in this era)
AmpLaney AOR Pro Tube Lead 100 (studio, late 1980s era, as used on 'Eternal Idol')
PickupsJohn Birch custom humbuckers (Iommi signature or Superflux, as used in late 1980s studio recordings)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
mid6.5
treble7
reverb1.5
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
boostUnknown Treble Booster (model unknown, likely Dallas Rangemaster or studio equivalent)
Notes
Studio recording, 1986-1987. Tony Iommi switched to Laney amps in the late 1970s and used them throughout the 1980s. For 'Eternal Idol', he used a Gibson SG with custom pickups and Laney AOR heads. No evidence of Marshall use for this album. No evidence of live/tour gear for this specific recording.
Tone Character(10)
tight and saturatedhigh-gain, compressedarticulate palm-muted chugsthick, mid-heavymodern 1980s metal voicingclear note separationminimal ambienceaggressive pick attackcontrolled feedbackdry studio sound
Difficulty
The riff requires tight palm muting and precise alternate picking to maintain clarity under high gain, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast tempo.
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