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Riff Tone

Gave Up

Nine Inch Nails

Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom
AmpMesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
PickupsHumbucker (likely stock Gibson or EMG, but exact model not confirmed for this recording)

Amp Settings

gain8.5
bass5.5
mid4
treble7
reverb1
presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

fuzzElectro-Harmonix Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi
distortionProCo ProCo Rat 2
distortionBoss Boss DS-1 Distortion

Notes

Studio recording, 1992 (Broken EP). Guitar part is sampled and looped, but original source is a Les Paul Custom into a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier, likely direct-in with heavy processing. Some sources mention use of rack preamps (Marshall JMP-1) and speaker simulators (Zoom 9030), but for the main riff, the Dual Rectifier is most consistently cited for the core heavy tone.

Tone Character(10)
aggressive, saturated distortiontight, percussive attackfuzzed-out, compressed texturescooped mids for clarityheavy palm mutingcutting, biting top enddense, layered guitar tracksmechanical, processed feelindustrial wall-of-soundminimal ambience (very dry)

Difficulty

The riff is fast, requires tight palm muting and aggressive picking, and must be locked in with programmed drums for the industrial feel. While not technically advanced in terms of note choice, the speed, stamina, and precision needed push it above intermediate.

Sources

Nine Inch Nails Guitar Tone — Settings for Every Signature Song | ToneMirrorNine Inch Nails Amp Settings (gear and tone tips) - Guitar ChalkHow to Sound Like Nine Inch Nails: The Guitar Sounds of Trent Reznor | guitarguitar

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