Riff Tone

Fire It Up

Black Label Society

Guitarmetal2000s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (Zakk Wylde signature or similar, with EMG pickups)

AmpWylde Audio Master 100 (Marshall JCM800 circuit, custom head) into Marshall 4x12 cabinet

PickupsEMG 81 (bridge), EMG 85 (neck) active humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain8.5

bass6

mid5

treble7

reverb0

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

noise_gateUnknown Noise gate (model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, circa 2005. Zakk Wylde has stated he uses the same core rig for Black Label Society riff tones as he did since late 1980s: Les Paul with EMGs into a Marshall-based head and 4x12. No evidence of pedal use for the main riff section; high-gain tone is primarily from amp and pickups.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationchunky low endrazor-sharp attackarticulate note separationcompressed and controlledmodern metal clarityscooped but present midsdry, no ambience

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, aggressive palm muting and precise alternate picking at a medium-fast tempo, with syncopated rhythms typical of modern metal. While not technically extreme, maintaining clarity and punch at this gain level is challenging.