Riff Tone

God Is Dead?

Black Sabbath

Guitarmetal2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarGibson SG Custom (Tony Iommi Signature, 24-fret, ebony fretboard, cross inlays)

AmpLaney TI100 (Tony Iommi Signature Head) and EVH 5150III (used in combination during '13' sessions)

PickupsCustom wound humbuckers (Iommi signature, high output, ceramic magnets)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass6

mid6.5

treble6.5

reverb1.5

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording for '13' album (2013). Producer Mike Exeter confirms use of both Laney TI100 and EVH 5150III amps for rhythm tracks. Guitar is Tony Iommi's signature SG with his custom pickups. No evidence of pedal use for main riff; distortion from amp gain. Settings estimated based on amp type, genre, and era due to lack of explicit numbers.

Tone Character(10)

tight, modern metal rhythm soundhigh-gain saturationchunky, palm-muted chugsclear note definitionarticulate pick attackmassive low endslightly scooped midsmodern, aggressive metal tonecontrolled feedback and sustainno audible modulation or time-based effects

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, aggressive palm muting and precise rhythm under high gain, with fast alternate picking and dynamic control to maintain note clarity.

Sources

Tony Iommi’s tone secrets, by longtime producer Mike Exeter | Guitar World

Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear

Create Free Account