Riff Tone

Got the Time

Anthrax

Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

GuitarJackson Soloist (likely custom, 1980s, with Seymour Duncan JB bridge pickup)

AmpMarshall JCM800 2203 (studio, 1989-1990 era)

PickupsSeymour Duncan JB (bridge humbucker)

Amp Settings

gain8

bass5

mid4.5

treble7

reverb0

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording for 'Persistence of Time' (1990). Scott Ian is known to have used a Jackson Soloist with a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge and a Marshall JCM800 2203 for rhythm tracks in this era. No evidence of pedals or effects used for the riff section; tone is amp-only, high-gain. Settings from Guitar World are for rhythm/ riff tone, not solo. No evidence of live/touring gear or alternate amps for this recording.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutingarticulate high-gain soundclear note separationno reverb for punchbright and bitingfast attackfocused low endmid-forward for clarityclassic thrash rhythm crunch

Difficulty

The riff requires fast, consistent alternate picking with tight palm muting and precise rhythm, typical of thrash metal. The tempo and endurance needed push this into the 'hard' category.

Sources

Scott Ian guitar lesson: learn the Anthrax rhythm approach | Guitar World Anthrax Amp Settings (gear and tone tips) - Guitar Chalk

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